Times In New Orleans

Released in 2005 when Jon Batiste was just 18 years old, Times In New Orleans serves as a formidable introduction to a musician who would eventually become a global cultural force. Self-released and recorded with a maturity that belies his age, the album focuses on the acoustic jazz tradition of his hometown while hinting at the genre-blurring ambition to come. The tracklist is a mix of original compositions and reimagined standards, most notably a deconstructed take on Thelonious Monk's 'Straight No Chaser' and two distinct versions of 'Body and Soul.' The inclusion of the 'Afro Version' of the latter highlights Batiste's early interest in the African diaspora's rhythmic influence on American music. Critically, the album was recognized for its technical proficiency and its ability to capture the specific 'vibe' of New Orleans without falling into tourist cliches. It stands as a crucial document of the post-bop revival in the early 2000s and remains the most 'pure jazz' entry in Batiste's expansive discography.