Jill Scott

Each year One Reel Entertainment brings the 'Summer Nights At The Pier' concert series to the Seattle waterfront.  Every kind of music is featured throughout the summer, and all fans are treated not only to a great show, but also an ambiance that makes for long lasting memories. On Wednesday July 25th, Jill Scott came through Seattle on her "Words & Sounds" tour, and brought along fellow Hidden Beach recording artist Michael Phillips.
Michael Phillips opened the evening show with his melodically stirring
saxophone solos.  His breath control was amazing as the sounds of his instrument resounded up and down the sunlit sidewalks near the pier.  After nearly thirty minutes of playing with barely a pause, Michael received an overwhelming display of appreciation from the crowd.  After a brief intermission, Jill Scott took the stage backed by her fierce band Fatback Taffy.  Two percussionists, three background singers, a keyboard, electric and bass guitars, a trombone and a trumpet melted the evening air as Jill began to croon songs from her double platinum debut album "Who Is Jill Scott?".

To attempt to put into words the vibe that was in the air is difficult.  You could almost taste the calmness of the day, and just looking at the smiles in  the audience as they fixated on Jill's every move made the mood pleasurable.  The nearly 80 degree day brought a cool sea breeze to the pier, and Jill's  performance was enhanced by the whispering winds caressing her loose garments - it was like the perfect video shoot.  The music was so inspiring that many fans stood the entire time, swaying with the breeze of her golden vocals.  She elicited laughter - followed by cheers - followed by silence - followed by reflective glances from the adoring crowd
as she explained her perspectives on the different issues covered in her music. With heartfelt words she addressed interracial dating, love, pain, sorrow, joy and everything in between.  All eyes remained on Jill as the audience seemed to gravitate closer and closer to the stage with each new song. Toward the end of the show the sun set serenely in the western sky as the soft stage lighting embraced the essence of Jill's beauty beyond measure.   It's no wonder People magazine voted her one of the world's 50 Most Beautiful
People last year!  As her set came to a close it was clear that the Seattle fans did not want to let her go.  Everyone called out to her to come back for one more song, and as she dipped back out for an encore the pier erupted with thankful applause.  That is one summer night that we are going to remember with fondness.

For more information on Jill Scott and Michael Phillips check out
http://www.hiddenbeach.com
For more information on upcoming One Reel shows including Summer Nights At
The Pier and Bumbershoot check out http://www.onereel.org

Dove
~Sheepish Lordess of Chaos~
 

Photo credit:

R. O'neil Edwards
indeepthought@blackplanet.com