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When the kids are away, their

Teachers will play!

Talented teachers by day turn into celebrated

musicians by night.

Stories by KENNETH SNOW

Contributing writer

They listen to loud music, run with a fast crowd and stay out late. After a particularly rowdy night, you
may even see their pictures in the newspaper. And they have a powerful influence on your child.   
 Fifteen years old and onstage, live at the Apollo!  That day in 1965, Paul Batiste was far more interested
in finishing his schooling than in making a career of it.  The performance was a talent show and the Gladiators, who
had driven all the way from New Orleans, had won.
 " Another one of my biggest thrills in high school was when we backed up Aaron Neville in a live performance of
"Tell It Like It Is.' " Batiste said.  "In the "70s we opened for a lot of bands like The Temptations, O'Jays, Major Lance
(of Monkey Time' fame) and Chris Kenner, who did 'Land of a Thousand Dances' "
 Today the Batiste Brothers Band records on its own label, Artang Records, and has produced
two CDs, "Spice" (1991) and the recently released "New Orleans Music."  On that one, he plays guitar,
keyboards and sings.  
Meanwhile, the local favorites have begun to build a strong international following, especially in Japan.                                                                           
 In 1992 they were the first New Orleans group to play the Kobe Urban Resort Fair, where they
were warned not to be offended by a low key response from the reserved Japanese audience.   
 "But before we were finished, " Batiste said,  "they were second-lining up on the stage with us.  Those
10,000 people were all up and dancing."  
 The performance that sparked a love affair with New Orleans sound -- more than 60 local
performers were invited to last year's fair -- was all in a day's work for a man who has taught music
in Orleans Parish for over a decade.
 Batiste began studies for a music education degree at Southern University in New Orleans in 1971.
 "I went to SUNO to learn music theory.....in hopes of pursuing a performing career," he said.
However, his instructors persuaded him to turn toward teaching,  Another push came when he
found that he had a gift for communicating with children while teaching music at a summer camp.
 As for growing fame and international appearances, "I'm entrenched in education," he said.  "I have thorough
plans for my future that includes going back for my master's and opening a private music school in New Orleans."