‘American Symphony’ is a Must-See 2023 Documentary

While waiting for Maestro to come to our city’s theatres, serendipity strikes. I found this newly released documentary on Netflix. Two classical music features coming out at the same time, I thought. But to my surprise, American Symphony isn’t about a classical music icon like Leonard Bernstein in Maestro but––it would make an interesting contrast–– Jon Batiste, the Louisiana born and Juilliard trained musician, singer, songwriter, composer, pianist and bandleader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Directed by Matthew Heineman, a multiple award-winning and Oscar nominated director, who has brought us an intimate and moving love story. I knew nothing about Batiste before watching this doc, only seen him on Stephen Colbert, the bandleader that gives an assured, warm smile when the camera focuses on him. American Symphony showcases Batiste’s new composition of the same name, as well as following his celebrated rise to the summit of musical stardom in 2022 when he garnered eleven Grammy nominations across genres and winning five including Album of the Year.

What captivates me is not only Batiste’s talents or his music. Surely these as well as his process of creativity are what make this doc highly entertaining, but what’s inspirational is the focus of his relationship with his wife, writer Suleika Jaouad, whose myeloid leukemia has returned after years of dormancy. In the midst of jubilation and career honors, there’s the searing pain of seeing his wife suffer in hospital. Batiste stays by her side as she goes through bone marrow transplant, and lovingly supports her through the whole treatment.

What is soul-stirring is the inward revealing of Batiste’s faith in his God, his humility in the midst of career wins and recognitions, and his readiness to accept whatever that could come his way. The doc is an intimate look into the duality of triumph and suffering, the vibrancy and the vulnerability of life, a candid and endearing love story.

As for the eponymous ‘American Symphony’, Batiste’s new composition, we get to see its rehearsal process throughout the feature, and savor excerpts of it towards the end. This last section is a revelation. The work had its world premiere in Carnegie Hall to a full house in September 2022. An innovative symphony encompassing tributes to jazz icons and the Black cultural roots, Batiste at the piano, a full orchestra, vocals from classical and gospel traditions, and including Native Americans in their own costumes and with their drums and songs, yearnings of human voices in cacophony, a moving experience. It would be interesting to see Maestro after watching American Symphony.

~ ~ ~ 1/2 Ripples

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Arti

If she’s not birding by the Pond, Arti’s likely watching a movie, reading, or writing a review. Creator of Ripple Effects, bylines in Asian American Press, Vague Visages, Curator Magazine.

11 thoughts on “‘American Symphony’ is a Must-See 2023 Documentary”

  2. I’ve always loved him and appreciated his remarkable and diverse musical skills. There was a segment about him on Sunday Morning a while back regarding his wife. I’d love to see this one. I’ll probably have to wait till it’s streamed on something I have.

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  3. I’ve never watched Colbert, so I’d never heard of Jon Batiste. After reading his bio, and realizing that he grew up in the heart of the New Orleans musical scene, I was even more intrigued. I’ve spent my time in Cajun country, but that’s very different from NOLA; I need to expand my horizons, and American Symphony seems a good place to start. I couldn’t believe how many credits he has, or the number of people he’s worked with whose music I appreciate. Thanks for the heads-up on this one!

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  4. Arti, I just watched the documentary American Symphony and it touched my heart and was medicine for my grieving soul. I lost my husband to cancer in August. But he was ill for a long time and it’s a grueling experience to witness.
    What Jon Batiste and his wife faced in this movie was more than most humans can bear. Words cannot express how they touched me and their strength was formidable. His music is otherworldly—heavenly actually. A shout out to the Obamas for producing this beautiful piece.
    Your post about this film brought it to my attention and you are my angel !
    Thank you for sharing this with me.

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    1. The holiday season is a most vulnerable time for those who have suffered loss. My heart goes out to you, Heather. And if any ripples here can inspire and bring comfort, this blog has served its purpose. But it is God Himself who can truly heal and console. May you experience His deep love for you this Christmas time, Heather.

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    2. Heather, you might like to read Suleika Jaouad’s memoir Between Two Kingdoms or listen to the audiobook version narrated by her. I just finished listening to it and found it moving and inspiring.

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