Jill Scott: 'There is a possibility I could make Atlanta home'

Hours before her appearance with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Wednesday at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, the three-time Grammy Award winner Jill Scott talked about:

Her recent performances overseas

"Golly, that was the first time I was in Poland, and it was in a beautiful theater that Stalin built as a gift. Absolutely gorgeous. And I didn't know what to expect — I mean, I didn't know if anybody was going to come. But it was very tight. Those people sang with like, Africa harmony.

"I've been wanting to stretch out my branches, see where I can, start developing new audiences in different places ... And I'm even more impressed with Europe overall. I always am. I love Amsterdam. I love Paris. London always welcomes me with open arms ...

"Monte Carlo was little bit short — and it was my first time there too. And I have to say I was a little surprised about not having a sold-out audience in my nine years of this career. But you know, it's just about establishing yourself.

Her return to Africa

"I leave in the fall, September, and I'll be gone for a while — shooting the series 'The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency' [for HBO] ... I'll be back in December; and then I'll sleep through January. I need to take a month where I can sleep whenever I feel the need. I need that — just going to my mom and my grandmom's, act silly together, then rest. Other people can jump around and bounce around and whatever — I was the child who came in when it was time to take a nap. Happily. Mmm-hmm, Besides, I get most of my ideas when I sleep — for everything: songs, poems, books, screenplays, plays, whatever it is, that's when it comes."

Her tribute to Al Green at the BET Awards

"I just wanted to honor the man. I just think he is incredible. His spirit is just so bright. That was a highlight to me — I mean Al Green! The Al Green!

"And I hung out in his trailer with him. One of his people came up to me and was like, 'Rev. Green wants you to come into his trailer.' And I'm thinking too myself: 'This is too many things!' ... So I was there while he was getting his hair cut; and just his big smile and his warm way was just, wow. And you know, he makes those sounds he makes in songs just in general conversation. That 'ah-ha-ha.' It was incredible."

How the bra she designed for Ashley Stewart is selling

"The bra is going exceptionally well. We're in a state of serious back-order right now ... So much so that I would say give it another month before you place an order; which is a great problem to have, I guess. And who knew? We had no idea. I mean, I knew there are many women who are ample in size and cup, and need support ... But we thought we would be ahead of the game starting with about 300,000. And we have about 40,000 to catch up on."

Her Atlanta-based fiance

"Yes, I am engaged," she coos again, referring to her intended, Lil John Roberts. "And there's a wedding to be planned. Life is really good for me now, and we are enjoying each other.

"No there isn't a date set yet. We can't. He's out rehearsing for the tour with Janet [Jackson] ... But I'd do it tomorrow if I could. And I know he would, But you know, we want a wedding. I never had one. He's never had one. And we want to be around family and friends and really do it — because this is it!

"I mean, right now, I'm glowing. John's such a good guy. ... And you know there's been a little bit of an issue with the media saying, you know, 'Jill jumped up and is marrying this drummer.' This is a master percussonist we're talking about here. I'm talking, at 15 years old he was playing with Wynton Marsalis. It's not healthy, not nice, for your mate to be diminished. He's an incredible musician. An incredible man."

How he proposed

"You know, I have to keep some things for us ... But I will say he did it splendidly!"

And finally, how likely it is that she may become an Atlantan

"Obviously I'm spending a lot more time here ... In fact, I just did a song with Bone Crusher a couple of weeks ago; which I just loved! John knows so many good people.

"So yeah, there is a possibility I could make Atlanta home. It's definitely been in the discussion. ... We haven't set anything in stone; but we definitely want to have a place, after our honeymoon, where can go home — together."