Hampton Jazz Festival lineup

Jill Scott

Philadelphia's Jill Scott, who also returns from last year's lineup, offers a combination of the festival's two main ingredients: She's a proven draw, and she also happens to be one of neo-soul's leading lights.

"Jill Scott is the hottest live tour in America right now, when it comes to neo-soul," Tsao said. "We asked people who went to her recent show in Norfolk, 'What do you think of her? Would you come back and see her again?' The answer was 'Absolutely, yes.' "

Her 2007 album "The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3" was a Top 10 CD and continues to be a steady seller.