His good-natured grin and bouncy mannerisms have endeared him to the nation as the bandleader of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. But Jon Batiste had been collecting accolades and admirers for many years prior to this appointment. Batiste, a Juilliard graduate, released two albums by the age of 17. His New Orleans-based jazz family includes over 3 dozen musicians and inspired the backstory for his fictionalized character in the HBO drama Treme.

Between melodica sessions, we spoke with the stylish multi-instrumental musician and actor (in addition to Treme he's appeared in Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer) about our Anniversary Sale, which starts July 22, what motivates him in the morning, and some of his favorite things, including green tea and Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts.

First thing I do when I wake up in the morning:

Pray and read the Word. Put on some music and dance a little.

Three things that are getting me through the day right now:

My family. The Eb blues tonality. The way the audience cheers when the rhythm section bursts into 4/4 swing.

TV or radio?

TV.

Sneakers or shoes?

Sneakertown!

Drink of choice?

Green tea with honey, pineapple and cinnamon (and sometimes ginger).

Current life soundtrack?

Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts.

Most cherished possession and why?

My dad's bass guitar from when he was a teenager. Music is a part of my family's legacy, and I am carrying that on.

Check back once the sale starts for Jon Batiste's shopping picks.

-Britt Olson