2020––‘Expect theater. Expect incredible musicianship. Expect love.’
Hoping you all had the merriest of Christmas’. With the first half of the holiday season behind us, now’s it time to shift focus and simultaneously reflect on 2019 and look ahead to the promise and possibilities that lie before us in 2020.
2020!!!!
Crazy how we were just caught up in the Y2K frenzy at the turn of the century––now, here we are 20 years later; decade two of the new millennium. Off top, it’s kind of difficult to remember anything of consequence from that year, (but some conversations and reminiscing will spark those memories) one of the standouts was the June 18th Hidden Beach records release of the debut album of one of this generations most creative and poignant voices. Her album title was posed as a question but in the two decades of work that she put in as a singer, songwriter and actress we all have a resounding answer as to “Who Is Jill Scott?”
She took to her Instagram account to announce that she has definite plans to celebrate the landmark year of her inaugural piece. “Can you believe it has been 20 years?!?! Please visit www.MissJillScott.com for dates and information. Tickets for the first leg of the tour available December 6th,” she informed. In an exclusive interview with Billboard magazine Scott informed that on stage she will remain true to album to the detail, “I’m going to be true to the album set list. I’ll do every song in the order of the album. My audience should bring their CD covers; some may know the list by heart. I will create musical arrangements for the songs purposed with new energy but keep the integrity of the original songs they love. Expect theater. Expect incredible musicianship. Expect love.”
Her local appearances take place on Sat., Feb. 15, at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. and Thu., Feb. 20 at Radio City Music Hall.
Those that are a little more adventurous can begin to plan now as the City of Miami Gardens has announced its 15th anniversary lineup for Jazz in the Gardens 2020, where Scott is scheduled to perform alongside The Roots/with Bilal, H.E.R., Charlie Wilson and Mary J Blige.
The festival, which has become the flagship event for the city, will take place March 14-15 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The City of Miami Gardens was born in 2003, and the then City Council sought to create a must-see event for the largest predominantly African American municipality in Florida, which is also the third largest in the United States. In 2006, the City of Miami Gardens presented the inaugural Jazz in the Gardens, an intimate jazz-only festival featuring food and music, setting the foundation for the decade-long experience, slowly adding R&B and hip hop to the lineup. “Jazz in the Gardens celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2020 and we are very excited,” said Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert. “This year’s festival has a stellar lineup of Grammy award winning artists. It is not only the City’s signature event, but it’s also how we say hello to the world as we draw thousands of people from all over to party with us.”
As we went to press more additional artists announced include Kirk Franklin, SWV and Stokely from Mint Condition with comedian Rickey Smiley returning as host.
Tickets for Jazz in the Gardens are on sale now. If that wasn’t included in your stocking stuffers for Christmas, it’s not too late for Kwanza. Just Saying. Over and out for me. Holla next week. Til then, enjoy the nightlife.
