New Orleans, LA — New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell honored David Batiste, Sr. with a Key to the City in a ceremony Monday, which was also Batiste’s 75th birthday.
Batiste, who served as a music instructor and band leader for ReNEW students for several years, has been a staple in the New Orleans music scene for the past six decades. He is the founder of David Batiste & the Gladiators and has been accredited as a pioneering force in shaping the city’s classic funk sound.
Congratulations Mr. Batiste — and thanks for all you’ve done for music and culture in our city!
The city’s official proclamation for Mr. Batiste:
“Mr. David Batiste, Sr. is a native New Orleanian and has been a staple in the music scene in the city for the past 60 years. Mr. Batiste is a part of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, received the 2021 Cutting Edge Music Influencer of Year and Lifetime Achievement Award from the White House for Arts Education & Community Outreach with the Obama Administration, and received the 2018 Teacher of the Year Award from ReNew schools. In 1962, David and his brothers created the band David Batiste & The Gladiators. Mr. Batiste served as the band’s keyboardist and sang lead vocals. The Gladiators were the talent show winners at Harlem’s renowned Apollo Theater in 1965. In 1970, The Gladiators had a hit record titled “Funky Soul” on Soulin’s Label and Instant Records. Mr. Batiste also performed as the keyboardist with the Meters from 1977 to 1980, as well as performing on Saturday Night Live in 1977. The Gladiators frequently perform at local venues such as The House of Blues, Snug Harbor, and the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Not only is the band popular here in New Orleans, but they have performed across the United States, Europe, South Africa, Mexico, and Japan. The Batiste family is Louisiana’s most prominent musical family comprised of 30 musicians and has not just influenced the music scene in New Orleans but also spread local music and culture internationally. Mr. Batiste has been involved with the youth as he has been a music teacher and band director at five different ReNEW schools. He was also involved in training seven kids to perform in Washington D.C. for former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama. I am proud to acknowledge Mr. David Batiste, Sr. as a musical pioneer in the City of New Orleans and look forward to his continued success.”
