Jon Batiste will be honored with the inaugural Ray Charles “Architect of Sound” Award at the Grammy Hall of Fame Gala on May 16 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. The award recognizes artists who embody Charles’ pioneering impact on music, and it will be presented annually at the event jointly organized by the Grammy Museum and the Recording Academy. Batiste, a seven-time Grammy winner known for his album We Are and the Oscar-winning score for Soul, said of receiving the honor: “Ray Charles is a beacon for me, a blueprint. He is a singular example of musical genius, artistic freedom and craft of the highest level that will continue to inspire humanity for generations and stand the test of time. I am honored to receive this award.” The Gala will feature two Batiste performances, as well as a tribute to this year’s label honoree, Republic Records, and a celebration of the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame inducted recordings, including JAY-Z’s Reasonable Doubt, Cat Stevens’ Tea for the Tillerman, Santana’s Supernatural, and more. Journalist Anthony Mason will once again host the event. (Billboard)