VH1 Storytellers

May 29th, 2012 | 5:30 pm by Mark Graham and Jen Marigliano (@unclegrambo)

Music Seen: Jason Mraz Delivers At VH1 Storytellers

Jason Mraz VH1 Storytellers Music Seen

The 16th season of VH1 Storytellers got off to a rousing start a few weeks back when Jill Scott blew the roof off New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. After taking a break for the Memorial Day weekend, we’ve got three incredible performances lined up for you to enjoy over the course of the next three Friday nights: Jason Mraz (6/1), Norah Jones (6/8), and Grace Potter (6/15).

We can’t wait for you to see Jason Mraz’s emotional VH1 Storytellers set, which will premiere this Friday night at 11 p.m. ET/PT. He played a rich assortment of songs from his truly outstanding body of work, including a few stunners from his brand new album, Love Is A Four Letter Word. We’ll be bringing you a few sneak peeks at his set as the week progresses, but for now, we just couldn’t wait to share these photos of Jason getting prepped for his set a few weeks back. Our ace photographer Jen Marigliano took all of these photos, which is the latest entry in our ongoing Music Seen series. Enjoy!

Jason Mraz Music Seen VH1 Storytellers

Read more…

May 21st, 2012 | 11:00 pm by Bené Viera

VH1 Storytellers Online Exclusive: Jill Scott’s “Quick”

Ever so often Jill Scott’s spoken word roots find their way into her songs or songwriting. That’s exactly the case for “Quick,” a song about a relationship ending too soon. We have an exclusive clip of her performance of “Quick” on tonight’s VH1 Storytellers: Jill Scott. Like its title, the song moves and ends quickly. But the fast pace doesn’t take away from the lyrical content. Due to its fast tempo we’re almost certain this is one of the happiest songs about an ending relationship. Read more…

May 21st, 2012 | 2:10 pm by Mark Graham and Bené Viera (@unclegrambo)

Music Seen: Jill Scott Gets Prepped For VH1 Storytellers

Jill Scott VH1 Storytellers Music Seen

The highly anticipated debut episode of VH1 Storytellers: Jill Scott premieres tonight at 11 p.m. ET/PT. You’re in for a treat with the musical act Scott has put together, including her awesomely talented band and the soulful sounds of both new and old music. VH1 captured a peek of Jill’s preparation prior the show, and when we tell you she goes all out, it’s not an exaggeration. The beautiful gold architecture inside the Hammerstein Ballroom is off set by the intimate lights and candles on stage.

Her most recent album, Light of the Sun, reached #1 on the Billboard 200 charts, but expect her to take you back to the songs that made this Philadelphia spoken word poet became such a timeless artist. Below you can check out her hair and makeup preparation, the band sharing a laugh and Jill getting into character. Once you see the show you’ll understand why Scott is one of the best artists of our time. Tune in tonight for VH1 Storytellers: Jill Scott at 11 p.m. ET/PT.

Jill Scott Storytellers Sneek Peak: “Blessed”

Jill Scott takes the audience to church in her live performance for VH1 Storytellers’ 16th season premiere. Everyone rose to their feet for the live performance of “Blessed,” the fourth single from her No. 1 Billboard album Light of Sun. It wouldn’t be Jill if she didn’t give a positive, motherly spiel on living life before jumping into the catchy number. “You better live that life like it’s yours,” Jill said as the crowd clapped. “It’s the only one you got, and nobody else has control of it at this point.” She reveled in celebrating other women by shouting out two of the women in the front row for their trendy fashion and beautiful hair. “Make something magical happen every day if you have the opportunity,” she preached. “Like fashion, hello darling. Like hairstyles, hello darling,” she said enthusiastically.

Similar to a Baptist pastor in the pulpit on Sunday morning, Scott asks, “Are we blessed in the house tonight?” Scott coos softly about the blessings of her son. And just waking up in the morning. “Woke up in the morning feeling fresh to death, I’m so blessed,” she sings. Her incredibly talented band complemented her wide vocal range in what sounds like a mix between gospel, soul and jazz. All the while the audience is entranced, hanging on to every note. Clapping, swaying from side to side, and wanting more, it’s safe to say the crowd felt blessed to witness the greatness of Jill Scott.

Check out the full episode of Jill Scott’s VH1 Storytellers when it airs on Monday, May 21 at 11:00 P.M. ET/PT.
Read more…

April 23rd, 2012 | 8:30 am by Bené Viera

Jill Scott Reps A Biggie Shirt, Wants You To Know She’s “Blessed”

Jilly from Philly is still churning out singles from her Billboard No. 1 album The Light of the Sun that was released last June. “Blessed” is Jill Scott’s soulful fourth single, her way of singing her gratefulness for all of the blessings in her life. Boy, does she have a lot to be grateful for, including her album, which was indeed a commercial success. The success is all the more sweet following a four year hiatus, where she worked on movies like Why Did I Get Married, and Hounddog, not to mention a starring role in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Series. She collaborated with producers Terry Lewis and JR Hutson for the album and will be promoting it with her Summer Block Party tour.

On May 21, she will kick off VH1′s 16th season premiere of VH1 Storytellers. In the meantime, she is fabulous as ever. How cute is the dressed up moose, an ode to her son, whom she sings about in the first verse. Singing in her Biggie t-shirt, Jill reminds us why we love her. She is working those different hairstyles (three to be exact. Duh, we counted). Bow down to Ms. Scott.

Want To See Jill Scott Perform At Her VH1 Storytellers Taping?

Earlier today, we announced the lineup for the 16th season of VH1 Storytellers, featuring performances from Jill Scott, Norah Jones, Jason Mraz and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. Now, we’re excited to announce that we’re now accepting entries for a chance to win tickets to the taping of Jill Scott’s VH1 Storytellers performance!

Starting today, visitors to StorytellersSweeps.com will be able to sign up to enter to win tickets to attend the taping in person, brought to you by Motions. Also included in the prize package is a day at the spa, in addition to round trip air fare to and from NYC. We’re also accepting submissions via SMS text; simply text STORY to 22422 to enter. Good luck!

[Photo: Getty Images]