Jon Batiste

Titled “Beethoven Blues,” Batiste collaborates, in a way, with Beethoven, reimagining these instantly recognizable works into something fluid.

Before a recent concert in Birmingham, the Grammy-winning jazz pianist took time to learn more about the city’s history and influence on American music.

Musician Jon Batiste, from the New Orleans area, leads all musicians with 11 Grammy nominations for his work in 2021, including one for the coveted Record of the Year for his song, "Freedom."

This week on Inside the Arts, the nationally acclaimed touring exhibit 30 Americans — a retrospective of contemporary African American art from the past…