Watch Jon Batiste Perform an Emotional Rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at the 2025 Super Bowl

Jon Batiste helped kick off the Super Bowl 2025 festivities with a jazzy rendition of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Sunday (Feb. 9) in New Orleans.

Wearing a black suit by Paul Smith, the Louisiana native sat in front of a white piano painted by his wife, Suleika Jaouad, as part of the local art program Sing for Hope, for which Batiste is a board member. The program placed 10 pianos designed by local artists around New Orleans’ Ninth Ward for anyone to play between Feb. 4 and Feb. 20 to celebrate the Super Bowl being in NOLA for the 11th time.

“We bring these Sing for Hope pianos to our shared streets and public spaces because the context of where you experience music can profoundly change you,” said Batiste. “Public sharing of art fosters and affirms community. It’s what we need right now, what the world needs. And as a Sing for Hope board member, I love that we’re celebrating in my hometown of New Orleans!”

The pianos will be donated to schools, healthcare facilities and community centers within the Ninth Ward.

Batiste’s emotional delivery of the national anthem followed Lady Gaga’s performance of the Top Gun: Maverick anthem “Hold My Hand,” the Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band and Master P, Harry Connick Jr.’s rendition of “Go to the Mardi Gras,” and Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle’s “America the Beautiful.”

Of course, the performance of the night will be Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show, where he’ll be joined by former TDE labelmate SZA.

Watch Jon Batiste perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” below.