Rami Malek’s walk-on from May 8th, 2017 is a reimagining of a seventeen second segment from Keith Jarrett’s infamous “Köln Concert” album from 1975. This portion of music is from “Part IIa” around the ten minute mark.
In November of 2022, I had the honor of stepping up to the plate to lead the band for a few weeks while @reallouiscato was out. I took the opportunity to have my extremely talented brother @bensaylormusic arrange some music for the band. Here is our version of Anita Baker’s classic “Sweet Love” for First Lady, @michelleobama
Often, our walk-ons will have to do with what the guest is promoting on the show. Other times, it will be something more personally associated with them. For example, last night we played “Yes We Can Can” by the late great Allen Toussaint for President Obama.
Once in a while, though, we’ll have some fun and create a parody. Here’s one of my favorites, from December 13th, 2016 to Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas”, the great @reallouiscato sang (while playing bass),
“OH MARK WAHLBERG WILL BE A VERY SPECIAL WALK-ON, ON TV……marky mark, marky mark…”
Jeff Daniels - March 11th, 2016
One of the concepts @jonbatiste was exploring during the first season of the show was taking European classical repertoire and putting it into different musical situations. Here is Bach’s “Solfeggietto in C Minor” set to a New Orleans bounce beat (for the first 8 bars) and then straight ahead jazz à la the great rhythm section of @herbiehancock , @roncarterbassist and Tony Williams (for the second 8 bars).
For context, we played this song (with a slightly different arrangement) three nights prior to this for Helen Mirren’s walk on and she planted a kiss on Colbert in the exact same spot!
One of the best parts about playing in the house band of a late night talk show is getting to curate the music in order to help shape the tone of the show. One of my favorite elements are guest walk-ons. As The Late Show nears its final 11 episodes, here are my top 11 guest walk-ons from the last 11 years.
President Biden was our first guest on our third episode on September 10th, 2015. We walked him on with an original number entitled “Oh, Joe Biden”. The song is equally soulful and presidential. If you listen closely, there’s a regality to the piano melody that follows the lyric. Every time he came by the show, we walked him on with a variation of this song. Here is his 2019 appearance with the OG version of “Oh, Joe Biden”.
We made an album! It has been such a JOY to make music all these years with The Late Show Band. As we wrap up our time at the Ed Sullivan Theater, please enjoy full versions of songs heard nightly on the show + a special bonus track featuring our incredible host. Listen on all streaming platforms, or purchase a vinyl copy. All proceeds go to @musicares
Link in bio.
All songs by us!
us:
@reallouiscato - bandleader, guitar, vocals
@joesaylor - drums
@jonlampleymusic - trumpet
@louisfouche - saxophone
@negahpercussah - percussion
@endeatheebassbae - bass
@misterweebles - keyboards
special thanks to lots of people, especially @lizzie.galbraith & @senseiftw
Hello! It’s @joesaylor , also known as the Jazz Cowboy. It has been my great joy for the last 10 years to make music with some of the greatest musicians in the world as part of The Late Show Band. Many thanks to Stephen and everyone at The Late Show! Happy Friday!
#BandFeatureFriday #Colbert #JazzCowboy #JoeSaylor
I have released a single.
OBEDIENCE is available on all music streaming platforms.
Recorded by Quinn McCarthy @thecreamerystudio
Mixed by Jeff Jones @jedinyc
Photo by Ernest Stuart @ernestimage
Fun fact: Before cheese, I worked in the music department at @colbertlateshow . I happened to run into my old friends @jonlampleymusic and @joesaylor in the kitchen today to help set the ✨vibe✨ for That “Euro Summer” Plate!
The @CheeseByNumbers Method
1 - CHEESE: Mini Mozzarella, Boursin, Feta
2 - MEAT: Salami, Prosciutto
3 - PRODUCE: Honeydew, Radishes, Tomatoes
4 - CRUNCH: Taralli Crackers, Bread
5 - DIP: Balsamic Glaze
6 - GARNISH: Basil, Mint
They also curated a music playlist to pair with this cheese plate 🧀 Link in my bio to listen!
#ThatCheesePlate
