Secretary of State Antony Blinken jams with Stephen Colbert's house band, talks Ukraine

Secretary of State Antony Blinken surprised the audience of The Late Show on Wednesday by sending them off on guitar with Jon Batiste’s band, Stay Human.

Blinken sat down with host Stephen Colbert to discuss his career and the challenges facing the State Department under President Joe Biden. The show is taped in heart of New York City in Manhattan. 

“I can tell you this, the State Department is back,” Blinken said, a jab at dysfunction and poor retention during the presidency of Donald Trump.

On the topic of Ukraine, the government official of over 30 years praised its people for their staunch defense of their homeland.

“82 days in, the Ukrainians are standing up for their freedom,” said Blinken.

“They’re standing up for their sovereignty.  They have so much of the world with them.”

Blinken also praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “quite literally the embodiment of the courage of the Ukrainian people” as he told Colbert about meeting him in person in Kyiv.

As discussion of Blinken’s goals for the State Dept. wound down, Colbert brought out a photo of Blinken playing guitar.

“As important as that work is that you just described, I think perhaps you’ll best be remembered as the lead guitarist of the band ABlinken,” Colbert smiled, inviting Blinken to tell him about his musical background.

“I long wanted to be a musician as a kid. As a teenager, that’s what I wanted to do,” Blinken replied.

“There was just one missing ingredient: talent.”

Blinken fell in love with music growing up in France, where he played jazz and rock. His mother, Judith Pisar, headed the American Center in Paris, which brought together artists, according to France24.

In Washington, the secretary has played in a Beetles cover band. His guitar can be seen in the background of interviews he’s conducted from home during pandemic lockdowns.

The U.S. Secretary of State’s music, which he describes as “wonk rock,” can be found on Spotify.

As the show closed, Colbert turned to Batiste and asked if the band had “a guitar that the Secretary might be able to use.” Blinken stood up and jammed with the band as the show cut to commercials.