by Stephanie L. Ogle
The newest member to join the ranks of the one-name songstress sisterhood along with Sade, Whitney, Mariah, Erykah & Mary, is the phenomenally talented Jill Scott. Setting off her “Words & Sounds Tour” July 17th, she’s graciously making her rounds from city to city leaving those lucky enough to see & hear her perform, mesmerized.
Her July 25th stop in Seattle for the annual "Summer Nights at the Pier" concert series was not only memorable but also breathtaking. The setting: a beautiful, sunny evening with a backdrop overlooking a romantic view of the Puget Sound with parts of Seattle high-rises catching peeks. The outdoor venue enhanced the mood for a show that would not soon be forgotten.
Opening for Ms. Jill, was Hidden Beach record label-mate Mike Phillips, a Mt. Vernon, NY native who at the age of 25 is changing the look and sound
of Jazz. The saxophonist gave the diversified crowd much to take notice of.
He was almost like a snake charmer with his talented playing & energy. His set included a fantastic cover of the Earth, Wind & Fire classic “Can’t Hide Love”, “Spanish Mike” & “You Have Reached Mike Phillips”
(both songs off of his upcoming debut) and a medley of songs ranging from a Roger Troutman-ish tribute to the Stylistics “People Make the World Go ‘Round” to a bit of Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke”.
It was his finale that got the crowd in spellbound-mode when Mike came down from the stage & made his way thru the crowd, holding what has got to be the longest musical note I have ever heard, the whole time. By the time he made it back onto the stage, Mike Phillips had won over the Seattleites & gained many fans in the process.
With the still present energy lingering from her amazing opening act, Jill Scott took the stage shortly thereafter & had the sun not still been lighting up the sky, just simply her smile & presence would have. Opening with “A Long Walk”, Jill, accompanied by her 3 Philly backup singers
and a 6 member band that goes by the name of Fatback Taffy, the audience rose to their feet as they danced and sang along. 3 songs later (“One Is the Magic #”), Ms. Jill encouraged the entranced crowd to come closer to the stage where all of those who obeyed, stayed through her whole show.
The most memorable part of her show came when she sang “Do You Remember?”. During the song she talked to the crowd just as if she was having a sistah-girl, down-home talk about love and pride and just "keepin´it real". Her monologue, reminding black men in interracial relationships to "remember" her & other black women for we are their grandmothers, sisters, aunts and mothers.....to say "hello" when they saw a black woman vs. turning up their noses at us, was a hit! The women in the crowd erupted in enthusiastic applause & cheers. Jill was speaking for us & she did it with style, poise and with conviction.
Rounding out her show, she belted out "Gettin´ in the Way", "It´s Love" and "The Way". When Jill finally left the stage, the audience made it clear that they wanted more Jill. She returned to the stage & sang "He Loves Me" for her encore. A fitting song to end not only a romantic evening at an outdoor venue but with a Soul concert from a singer who is the epitome of "black love".
She sincerely & graciously thanked all of her supporters and fans for feelin´ her & showing so much love over this past year. What has always impressed me about Jill Scott while watching interviews with her on television & on award shows was her "down to earth" attitude & demeanor. As she stood on that stage, there were tears in her eyes and pure emotion on her face as she did so. This lady definitely keeps it real.
Jill Scott is a force to be reckoned with now and is bringing back the love of being in love, giving love & just
enjoying life in its simplest forms. Keep doing what you do, sistah-girl. We love you!**A very special "Thank You!" to Jill´s publicist Karen & Chris at Hidden Beach**
Photo credit:
R. O´neil Edwards, 2001
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