Eight-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste graced the stage for the Umbrella Concert Series in partnership with Salt Lick Sessions this past Wednesday, February 11 – headlining a sold-out concert that shimmered with his star power while celebrating the future of music. The event, presented in partnership with the Salt Lick Incubator, wasn’t just about Batiste; it also served as a vibrant spotlight on three exceptional emerging artists, each adding their unique flavor to the evening’s musical feast.
The Umbrella Arts Center, a cultural cornerstone of MetroWest Boston, known for its diverse programming across the performing, visual, and educational arts, provided the perfect intimate setting for this special occasion. This concert, taking place in an intimate 350-seat theater, was part of its ongoing series showcasing Salt Lick Incubator artists, following in the footsteps of previous guest artists that include Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett, Lake Street Dive, Brandi Carlile, and John Mayer, cementing its reputation as a champion of both established and rising stars.
The Salt Lick Incubator, the brainchild of former Berklee College of Music President Roger Brown, is a game-changer for emerging musicians. Offering crucial support, grants, career guidance, and invaluable exposure (including features on WERS Radio’s Salt Lick Sessions), the non-profit organization is reshaping the music landscape. With an artist advisory board that includes luminaries such as T-Bone Burnett, Patrice Rushen, Susan Tedeschi, and Batiste himself. Salt Lick has quickly become a vital launchpad for new talent.
Jon Batiste is a highly decorated artist, boasting an Academy Award and eight GRAMMY wins. His latest studio effort, BIG MONEY, explores the vast landscape of American music, weaving together gospel, soul, blues, folk, and rock. The album, which features collaborations with legends like Randy Newman and Andra Day, recently took home the 2026 GRAMMY for Best Americana Album. Following a successful 30-city U.S. tour, the project serves as the centerpiece of a banner year in which Batiste performed at the Super Bowl and topped the Billboard Classical charts with his crossover hit, Beethoven Blues.
Prior to Batiste’s headlining set, the crowd enjoyed a series of compelling performances from three emerging talents, all specially selected by the Salt Lick Incubator. Opening the night was Farayi Malek, a GRAMMY-nominated vocalist known for her mesmerizing work with Danilo Pérez’s Global Messengers. Raised in rural Southern Idaho, Farayi’s musical identity was forged by the interplay of contrasting worlds—from childhood days spent playing the fiddle and singing hymns to her later studies in jazz and blues. She masterfully blends these diverse influences into resonant, soulful compositions that serve as the perfect stage for her effortless vocal range.
Next to take the stage was the New York City-based indie outfit Melt. Since forming in 2017, the group has built a reputation for high-energy performances, sparked by the early success of their breakout single “Sour Candy.” Described by NPR as “one groovy superorganism,” the band’s vibrant live energy has earned them opening slots for major acts like My Morning Jacket, Grace Potter, Lawrence, and Grouplove. Melt is currently touring behind their latest release, the emotionally charged single “Stay for the High”—their first new music since If There’s a Heaven, which has already been hailed as a poignant, “genuine heartbreaker.”
Closing out the Salt Lick Incubator showcase was Couch, a band whose origins are as unique as their sound. Originally a long-distance project between high school and college friends, the group spent three years writing and recording remotely before performing live together for the first time. That experimental beginning paved the way for their self-titled debut EP and a breakout 20-city headline tour in 2022. Since returning to their Boston roots, the band’s trajectory has been meteoric. Following the 2023 release of their sophomore EP, Sunshower, and standout sets at festivals like Boston Calling and Levitate, they recently reached a new milestone with their debut full-length album, Big Talk. This latest project marks a bold evolution for the group, celebrated by a national television debut on CBS Saturday Morning and an expansive 40-city international tour, including sold-out nights at iconic venues such as Brooklyn Steel and D.C.’s 9:30 Club.
When Jon Batiste took the stage for his featured performance, he did so without a backing band, only his piano placed behind him. Dressed sharply in a tailored white suit, Batiste greeted the audience with a larger-than-life smile and bows and waves. Declaring no desire to work from a setlist, Batiste chose to put his own spin on some of his favorite songs, including “When the saints Go Marching In and an exceptionally moving take on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” that brought a hush over the audience until Batiste gestured for all in attendance to sing along to the chorus, bringing chills along with a sense of unity and hope. What truly set the night apart was Batiste’s genuine connection with the audience. His relaxed demeanor and engaging storytelling made the intimate venue feel like a private concert in his living room. As Batiste performed his favorite tunes, the sound was pristine, allowing every nuance of his voice and masterful tickling of the ivories to shine.
Showing his true love for nurturing others’ love for music and building a stronger bond between young artists and the veterans of the music world, Batiste seized the opportunity to pour more of the evening’s spotlight on Farayi, Melt, and Couch by inviting the leading ladies out to sing one more round of tunes with him. Couch’s Tema Siegel chose to sing John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy”. Farayi brought the house down with her powerhouse performance of “We Shall Overcome,” leaving Melt’s Veronica Stewart-Frommer clearly moved and unsure of how to follow. She wiped the tears away as she and Batiste knocked out a choked-up take on Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon.” Batiste was exceptionally gracious to all three and with one more gesture of kindness, brought the rest of the band’s members from all three acts to join as one for the rousing finale for one last hurrah that had the audience on their feet, dancing and clapping along.
