Jazz Legends Reimagine Classic 'Song of Storms' from Zelda

Jon Batiste and Josh Harmon's spontaneous collaboration brings new life to the iconic video game melody.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:56am

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An extreme close-up of a highly textured, golden-hued piano key, capturing the luxurious and organic fusion of classic video game music and sophisticated jazz performance.The spontaneous collaboration between jazz legend Jon Batiste and content creator Josh Harmon breathes new life into a beloved video game melody.New Orleans Today

In a delightful musical moment, acclaimed jazz artist Jon Batiste and popular content creator Josh Harmon have joined forces to reimagine 'Song of Storms' from the classic video game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This collaboration represents a growing trend of established musicians recognizing the artistic merit and emotional resonance of video game soundtracks, blending them with diverse musical genres.

Why it matters

The Batiste and Harmon collaboration is a signpost pointing towards the increasing respect and appreciation for video game music, which was once often dismissed as simplistic or secondary. This fusion of iconic gaming melodies with sophisticated jazz improvisation highlights the cross-generational appeal of these classic themes and the power of nostalgia to fuel creative reinterpretations.

The details

The creation of the 'Song of Storms' track was a spontaneous, in-the-moment performance, emphasizing the 'human element' and organic nature of the collaboration. Batiste specifically noted the influence of his New Orleans musical upbringing, where improvising on familiar melodies is a deeply ingrained tradition. The resulting fusion of video game themes with jazz, particularly the New Orleans style, offers a unique and compelling soundscape.

  • The collaboration between Jon Batiste and Josh Harmon took place in early 2026.

The players

Jon Batiste

A Grammy-winning jazz artist known for his innovative and genre-blending musical approach.

Josh Harmon

A popular content creator and drummer with a substantial online following, representing a new breed of artist bridging the gap between traditional musicians and digital creators.

Koji Kondo

A renowned video game composer who created the iconic melodies for Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.

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What they’re saying

“This collaboration isn't just a delightful musical moment – it's a signpost pointing towards a growing trend: the sophisticated fusion of video game soundtracks with diverse musical genres.”

— Chief Editor

“There were no rehearsals or pre-arranged plans; the track emerged from a spontaneous, in-the-moment performance.”

— Josh Harmon, Content Creator and Drummer

“I specifically noted the influence of my New Orleans musical upbringing, where improvising on familiar melodies is a deeply ingrained tradition.”

— Jon Batiste, Grammy-winning Jazz Artist

What’s next

Batiste and Harmon are expected to continue their collaboration, exploring more ways to blend video game music with diverse genres. Fans can look forward to future live performances that may incorporate visual elements from the games, creating immersive and interactive experiences.

The takeaway

This collaboration between Jon Batiste and Josh Harmon represents a growing trend of established musicians recognizing the artistic merit of video game soundtracks and reinterpreting them in innovative ways. The fusion of iconic gaming melodies with sophisticated jazz improvisation highlights the cross-generational appeal of these classic themes and the power of nostalgia to fuel creative expression.