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Russell Batiste Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Batiste in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | David Russell Batiste Jr. (1965-12-12)December 12, 1965 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | September 30, 2023(2023-09-30) (aged 57) LaPlace, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Funk,Rhythm and blues,Blues |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Drums |
| Years active | 1973–2023 |
| Formerly of | The funky Meters,Papa Grows Funk,Vida Blue. |
David Russell Batiste Jr. (December 12, 1965 – September 30, 2023) was an American drummer based inNew Orleans. Batiste played drums for the bandsthe funky Meters,Papa Grows Funk, andVida Blue.
David Russell Batiste Jr. was born in New Orleans on December 12, 1965.[1][2] He was a member of the New Orleans musical family, theBatiste family; he started playing drums at the age of four.[1] He also learned to play keyboards, saxophone, guitar and bass, and started to play in the family band when he was seven.[2]
Batiste left college after two years to joinCharmaine Neville's band.[2] He joined the funky Meters, the reincarnation of the funk bandThe Meters, in 1989. The funky Meters withoutArt Neville played under the name Porter Batiste Stoltz (PBS) (withGeorge Porter Jr. on bass, and Brian Stoltz on guitar).He also played drums with George Porter Jr. and the Runnin Pardners.
As a solo artist, he led his own band Russell Batiste Jr. and the Orkestra from 'Da Hood and has released two albums under the name.
Batiste also played regularly with organ playerJoe Krown and guitaristWalter "Wolfman" Washington as the Krown Washington Batiste trio. This unit released a live CDLive at the Maple Leaf in 2008.[3]
Batiste performed with a wide range of musicians and bands includingPapa Grows Funk,[4]Vida Blue,[5]Harry Connick Jr.,Champion Jack Dupree,Robbie Robertson andMaceo Parker.[1] In 1987, Batiste was in the New Orleans funk bandNuclear Rhythms featuring percussionist songwriter Rosie Rosato, psychedelic funk guitarist songwriter Dirk Billie, bassist songwriter Mark Adam Miller and guitar and keyboard player David M. Brown.
Batiste died of heart attack at his home inLaPlace, Louisiana, on September 30, 2023, at the age of 57.[6] His funeral was scheduled for October 10 at St. Katharine Drexel Church inNew Orleans.[7]
| Year | Category | Work nominated | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Best R&B/Funk Album | Live at the Maple Leaf (withJoe Krown andWalter “Wolfman” Washington) | Won | [8] |
| 2023 | Best Drummer | Won | [8] |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
