David Russell Batiste Jr. was born December 12, 1965, into the storied Batiste family — son of David Batiste Sr., brother of Jamal, cousin of Jon. Raised in a musical household, he started behind the drum kit at four, picked up keyboard, saxophone, guitar, and bass, and took a slot in the family band at seven. He used his middle name, Russell, to avoid confusion with his father. He drummed for St. Augustine High School's Marching 100, graduated in 1983, and studied under jazz saxophonist Kidd Jordan at Southern University before leaving after two years to become the drummer for singer Charmaine Neville.
Russell went on to provide the backbeat for some of the most beloved Crescent City bands: he joined the funky Meters in 1989 after Zigaboo Modeliste's departure, and played with Papa Grows Funk, George Porter Jr. & Runnin' Pardners, the Wild Magnolias, and the all-star trio Vida Blue alongside Phish keyboardist Page McConnell and bassist Oteil Burbridge. He also played with Harry Connick Jr., Maceo Parker, the late Robbie Robertson, and Champion Jack Dupree, and teamed with organist Joe Krown and guitarist Walter "Wolfman" Washington as the Krown Washington Batiste Trio, whose Live at the Maple Leaf came out in 2008.
As a solo artist he recorded two albums as Russell Batiste Jr. and the Orkestra from 'Da Hood: the self-titled set in 2000 and The Clinic in 2003. Until his passing he held a Sunday-night residency at Le Bon Temps Roule with Russell Batiste & Friends, and he was scheduled to play three sets at NOLA Funk Fest with his band, the Gladiators, and Leo Nocentelli. He died October 1, 2023, at 57 — the Congressional Record tribute by Rep. Troy Carter quotes his brother Damon: "He wanted to make the music right. Russell loved New Orleans more than anything."
