Jonathan Batiste - Movado Future Legend In Jazz

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Movado Group, Inc. announced the "Movado Future Legends", a unique initiative that will help nurture a future generation of artists with exceptional abilities and a commitment to their craft. Five of this country's most prestigious arts institutions have been invited to identify a "Movado Future Legend" - an individual still studying, but undoubtedly on the path to becoming a major force in his or her field. Recipient of this award in jazz is jazz pianist Jonathan Batiste selected by Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Movado has long been renowned for its support of the arts. "We are pleased to introduce the Movado Future Legends awards in celebration of our 125th anniversary. Our brand is celebrating 125 years of artistry and artistic innovation", said Efraim Grinberg, President and Chief Executive Officer, Movado Group, Inc. "We are excited to support the next generation of exceptional talent and to build on our commitment to some of the world's leading artistic institutions."

Jonathan Batiste is one of the most exciting young artists to hit the jazz scene in years. A 19-year old pianist who is a native of New Orleans presently studying at The Juilliard School, Mr. Batiste already has over 10 years of onstage experience, starting as a percussionist, then becoming pianist in his family's group, the Batiste Brothers Band. Since age 16, Batiste has performed with some of New Orleans's most outstanding musicians, including Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Irvin Mayfield, Nicholas Payton, Alvin Batiste, and Cyril Neville, as well as David "Fathead" Newman, Maraca, Louis Hayes, Goapele, and South Africa's musicians Ernie Smith, Prince Kupi, and Musa Manzani. His CDs include "Times in New Orleans", and "Live in New York: At the Rubin Museum", both released on Louisiana Music Factory. In 2004, Mr. Batiste graduated from the prestigious New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA). Since his arrival in New York, he has already begun to make his mark on the music scene, performing around the city with his group and others and making his debut at Carnegie Hall in 2005 and at Jazz at Lincoln Center in 2006.

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