"Uncle" Lionel Batiste (February 11, 1931 – July 8, 2012) was a jazz and blues musician and singer from New Orleans. He began his music career at the age of 11 playing bass drum with the Square Deal Social & Pleasure Club. He was the bass drummer, vocalist and assistant leader of the Treme Brass Band; known for his kazoo playing and singing as well, and has recorded a CD as a vocalist.

Lionel Batiste
"Uncle" Lionel Batiste (in derby hat) with "Papa" Don Vappie (with banjo)
Background information
Birth name	Lionel Batiste
Also known as	"Uncle" Lionel Batiste
Born	(1931-02-11)February 11, 1931 New Orleans, Louisiana, US
Died	July 8, 2012(2012-07-08) (aged 81)[1]
Genres	Jazz, blues
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instruments	Vocals, bass drum

Besides inspiring younger musicians with his playing, he served as a role model to many of them: trumpeter Kermit Ruffins calls Batiste his "total influence," saying that Batiste "taught [him] how to act, how to dress, how to feel about life."[2] Internationally, Batiste has served as leader of the daily Moldejazz parade since 2000. He was king of the Krewe du Vieux for 2003.[3]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lionel Batiste.

• Lionel of All Trades. BestofNewOrleans.com, April 13, 2004 at the Wayback Machine (archived May 24, 2004).
• Matters of Great Importance: Uncle Batiste’s Stolen Drum. BestofNewOrleans.com, February 5, 2010.
• Gambit Weekly obit
• New Orleans Celebrates the Life of a Bandleader. New York Times, July 17, 2012.

External links

• Uncle Lionel Batiste, Treme Brass Band bass drummer, dies Keith Spera, Times-Picayune
• Lionel Batiste at IMDb