NEW ORLEANS LAID TO REST A FAVORITE SON, DAVID RUSSELL BATISTE JR.OF NOLA’S ROYAL FAMILY OF MUSIC WITH CELEBRATIONS & A COMMITMENT TO PRESERVE HIS LEGACY
New Orleans, LA-It has been a week to the day that the Batistes, “NOLA’s Royal Family of Music” laid to rest one of its crown princes, the “quiet genius, ” their “Young Lion,” David Russell Batiste Jr., a prolific musician and composer, who left this earth suddenly having suffered a heart attack on September 30, 2023. The Batiste Family is initiating efforts to ensure that David Russell Batiste Jr.’s legacy is preserved.
Found in his home by his younger brother Damon Batiste, NOLA’s cultural ambassador, the grief overwhelmed the Batiste family and rushed through the New Orleans music scene to politicians, and fans from around the world. They are NOLA’s Royal Family of Music by virtue of their sheer numbers with Russell being the first of David Batiste Sr.’s fourteen children and their treasure trove of talent. The Batistes have been an indelible mark on New Orleans’ festivals and concerts since the 1970’s when “David and the Gladiators” was formed. David, the elder Batiste, one of seven sons of John “J.J. Batiste” and Estelle Curtis Batiste, started the group that has had various changes in memberships and names over the years with his six brothers (John Jr., Paul, Michael, Peter, James and Thomas) and friends.
“It was Stanley Ratcliff who put sticks in the hands of my six-month old son. By nine months Russell was standing on the bass drum pedal and keeping time and he never missed a beat as he played in St. Augustine’s Marching 100, at clubs at home and in arenas around the world,” said David Batiste Sr. Along with his brother Damon, we are all determined to do what we can to make sure his children and the world will not forget what a great musician and humanitarian Russell was.”
“My brother would give you the shirt off his back,” said Damon Batiste of the brother he so admired. “As the accolades are coming, it’s our hope that people will support our efforts to keep his legacy of mentoring young people and other musicians by contributing to either the Preserving the Legacy of Russell Batiste gofundme page or our nonprofit I founded to help spread cultural understanding between New Orleans, Africa, the African Diaspora and the world,” Batiste added. He began the call to action during his brother’s wake on Monday, October 9th as he introduced two youths that came to pay tribute to their mentor. A small portion of their tribute was posted on Facebook.
Accolades for the much-loved Batiste include U.S. Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr.; Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser; New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and others. Dr. Mary Lee, founder and president of The Neighbor Commerce Institute of Rochester Hills (Detroit), Michigan,
Sent both a letter and comments for the services at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church. Dr. Lee was on the program, but last-minute schedule changes precluded her attendance.
Longtime friend of the Batiste Family in the formative years of Russell and brother Damon at St. Augustine High School , Dr. Eric M. Washington, now a professor at Calvin University Grand Rapids Michigan, connects the legacy of the impactive drummer to the African Diaspora in his “Reflections on Russell Batiste and His Cultural Context.”
Fellow musician, Jason Neville of NOLA's internationally known Neville Family shared heartfelt comments about Russell's mentorship on Facebook stating WGNO TV didn't capture all he had to say last Tuesday. "In case you didn't know how Great Russell Batiste was, he groomed so many great drummers, musicians, singers, entertainers, not just in New Orleans but around the world, too many to name," wrote Neville. Russell's role as a mentor for young musicians was even expressed at his celebratory wake Monday, October 9, 2023.
With the oversight of Professional Funeral Services, the solemn day of Tuesday, October 10, 2023 began at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church and with a horse drawn carriage carrying Russell proceeded to Olivet Cemetery followed by a Second Line of mourners.
The October 10th tribute ended with family including famous first cousin Jon Batiste, who had just played with Russell at the Maple Leaf in May, musicians, friends and many who’s who of the music world including:
Cyrille Neville; Charmaine Neville & The Neville Family; Barbara Shorts; AdoSoul; Big Chief Donald Harrison; Big Chief Shaka Zulu; Big Chief Smiley Rick; Jessie McBride; Leo Noncentelli; Paulette Wright Davis; Kenny Allen; Joe Dyson; Russell Batiste & Orkestra from the Hood Tribute Band and more! Cyrille Neville’s 75th Birthday was also recognized.
Media coverage noting the outpouring of love and condolences can be seen at the following links:
5-Time Grammy Winner of NOLA’s Royal Family of Music Celebrates Inspiration, “ Genius” of Russell Batiste
https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/keith_spera/jon-batiste-attended-russell-batistes-funeral-tribute-show/article_1663d578-686c-11ee-8daa-cf84c8635e10.html
WDSU
Drummer Russell Batiste Laid to Rest
https://www.wdsu.com/article/new-orleans-drummer-russell-batiste-laid-to-rest/45496749
New York Times
David Russell Batiste Jr., The Drumming Heartbeat of New Orleans, Dies at 57 by Alex Williams
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/06/arts/music/russell-batiste-dead.html
New Orleans CBS Affiliate 4WWL:
Remembering Musician Russell Batiste Jr.
https://www.wwltv.com/article/obits/remembering-russell-batiste-jr/289-e72c0816-5bae-4529-b387-74f009d8fe0e
New Orleans ABC Affiliate WGNO
https://wgno.com/news/louisiana/orleans-parish/batiste-family-announced-the-death-of-known-drummer-russell-batiste-at-57/
Renowned New Orleans Drummer Russell Batiste Jr. Dies at 57 by Keith Spera
https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/keith_spera/new-orleans-funk-drummer-russell-batiste-jr-dies-at-57/article_18919cc0-607b-11ee-a976-0f3efe1702e9.html
Wright Enterprises eNews
Late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein Lies in State at San Francisco City Hall, City of New Orleans Mourns Renowned Musician From NOLA's Royal Family of Music, The Batistes
https://conta.cc/45ir0zt https://conta.cc/3PGIZtD
As expressions of condolences, In Lieu of flowers, The Batiste Family, (known as NOLA’s Royal Family of Music, due to the sheer size and the treasure of their talents), requests financial contributions be made to Preserving the Legacy of David Russell Batiste or to www.nosaconn.com (New Orleans South Africa Connection), founded in 1998 by New Orleans cultural ambassador, Damon Batiste that was supported by his elder brother David Russell Batiste Jr.
Those who would like to help preserve the legacy of David Russell Batiste Jr. your financial contributions to the Preserving the Legacy of David Russell Batiste or www.nosaconn.com are greatly appreciated.
The Batiste Family thanks all for all kindness shown during this difficult time for their family.