Said Jill Scott – musician- Interview
Essence, Oct, 2003 by Tate Greg
When Jill Scott burst into our consciousness in 2000, with her debut, Who Is Jill Scott?, she brought the skills of an old-school soul veteran and the instant familiarity of a longtime friend. By true to the verities of African-American musical traditions–virtuoso vocal chops, raw funk, bluesy sass, thoughtful and heartfelt lyrics–the touring musical-theater pro made it clear she’s a qualified bearer of the flame. When we caught up with Scott, who is a poet and former grade-school teacher’s aide, she was thinking about the difference between spiritual and political power, the power of fame to transform and deform lives, and the power of music to instruct, resurrect and redeem.
I think every individual has his or her own power, and it’s a matter of working, taking time and defining what that power is. Whether it’s speaking to children and having them listen to you, or getting information from folks who have wisdom beyond our years, of being able to bring music that touches the masses. Power doesn’t have to be on such a big scale for powerful things to occur. Within your own home, you can be a powerful woman as a mother, influencing your children’s lives. To be a queen of a household is a powerful thing.
When I first became famous, I didn’t know if I could go where I wanted to because I didn’t know how people were going to act. Some folks would scream and holler, and I didn’t know what to do with that. But now I’m like, “Okay, this is my life.” Now I go around my way, and I sit on my steps, and I date someone to tell me I can’t.
When I was growing up, my mother would take me to plays and museums, and we’d talk about life. Those times helped shape who I became. Lately I’ve been going to all these high schools talking to the students, answering their questions, listening to what they have to say. It has been an incredible journey to be around them and try to give them what my mother gave me. There’s a high school in Camden, New Jersey, I call the Jill Scott School. It’s the Camden Creative Arts High School. Those teachers and kids are so passionate about what they do, and 98 percent of the senior class went on to college.
A couple of years ago I was really paying attention fan to Sarah Vaughan. I’d enjoyed her before, but then I started to study her work. One day I was in my being room and one of her songs just came on the CD player. I didn’t press anything, not even the remote control. The song just came on, and I started to believe that Sarah Vaughan was, in a way, in touch with me. Now that may sound cuckoo to some, but I think that once you’re an artist, once you’re a human being, really, your spirit never leaves.
You have to be humble when you’re dealing with God. If you feel powerful dealing with others, it’s because of your relationship with the Creator. What affects me the most when I perform is seeing the audiences laugh, hold their bellies or cry. It’s amazing–all ages, all races. And most of the time I’m laughing or crying with them. That’s when I feel the most powerful and humble at the same time.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Essence Communications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group
