Jon Batiste Reschedules Upcoming Performances After Testing Positive For COVID

Grammy recipient Jon Batiste recently tested positive for coronavirus along with his team.

The talented musician is popularly known for his wins at the 2022 Grammys, where he bagged five awards and eleven nominations, including the coveted "Album of the Year" honor for his album "We Are."

Fans always anticipated his brilliant performances, but unfortunately, they would have to hold their horses as Batiste recently suspended all his commitments due to the COVID diagnosis.

The Academy Award winner’s most-anticipated live performance at Carnegie Hall was rescheduled not too long ago following his and his team’s positive COVID test.

PEOPLE reported that he also had to regrettably put off other obligations, including his bandleader role on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”

Batiste released a statement in light of his diagnosis, showing appreciation to his fans and anticipating his return to the dais.

He stated, "I thank all my supporters for their love and understanding. See you all soon." It should be noted that no new date has been set yet for his Carnegie Hall performance.

Batiste’s hopeful message came after several updates he made on social media, showing his excitement for his now-canceled performances.

One of his appearances was set for the weekend, which would have been the day of his premiere symphony. He was pretty thrilled about the presentation as he previously posted a video of himself practicing for the memorable night.

The 35-year-old updated his fans on the rehearsal, expressing gratitude for making his first symphony performance with similarly outstanding musicians. He wrote:

"day 3 of AMERICAN SYMPHONY rehearsal is done. We had some fun at the end of the rehearsal on the E-mu SP-1200 drum machine. We are blending traditions and reimagining classical music."

"I am so grateful to be premiering my first symphony,” Batiste added. “And sharing the stage with a powerfully diverse and masterful cast of musicians! See you at @carnegiehall on May 7 [heart emoji]."

As you may know, the creative director made several other appearances prior to his COVID diagnosis, including his presence at the Met Gala, where he donned a Ralph Lauren outfit and gave a remarkable performance.

Following his multiple wins at the Grammy Awards ceremony, Batiste spoke to the news outlet about the event, calling it a "beautiful moment." He said of his compositions:

"The performance and all of the things that allowed people to really enjoy the music were always there all along. The music was always what it was over a year ago when it came out. I just think people needed something to contextualize it."

The soloist further revealed that he always bet on himself when making creations as he "never really played the game of trying to follow trends."

Nevertheless, he achieved a great deal at the awards show and declared that that was only the beginning of his journey to share his music with many more listeners.

Speaking of Batiste’s premiere performances, The Blast previously reported the celebrity’s acting debut in the musical “The Color Purple.”

The upcoming film is based on Alice Walker’s book of the same name, Steven Spielberg’s 1985 movie adaptation, and the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical.

Batiste will be playing the role of Grady, a sweet-mouthed pianist who is charismatic, cultivated, and eloquent that many people desire. He replaces Bennet Guillory, who played the same part in the 1985 version of the production.

Other stars included in the musical are Taraji P. Henson, H.E.R, Danielle Brooks, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, and Ciara.   

Months before the 2022 Grammy Awards event, Batiste tied the knot with his beloved partner of eight years, Suleika Jaouad.

According to Vanity Fair, the couple got married in a private ceremony before Jaouad underwent a scheduled bone marrow transplant surgery.

The Princeton University alum was diagnosed with leukemia for the second time, which led to the ensuing surgery five months later.

In a chat with “CBS Sunday Morning,” she confirmed the news of their marriage and revealed that she and Batiste had always wanted to get married since they began dating.

“The Atlantic” music director was also involved in the conversation, stating that his spouse’s latest battles with leukemia would not “interrupt the plan that we have.”

He called it a “bump in the road” and explained that their marital union was “an act of defiance” against the darkness they overcame.