Usher To Produce Series About Birth Of Jazz Music; Details Here

Singer Usher is reportedly producing a new series, titled "Storyville," about the birth of Jazz music in New Orleans.

The multi-hyphenate has added another feather to his hat as he signed a deal with Starlings Television to work as an executive producer on the show. Bill Macdonald and Walt Becker will be the creators and showrunners of the series, Variety reported.

"Storyville" follows the tale of five female brothel operators and their fight for control over the town's red-light district.

The upcoming series is the first television drama to be produced by Usher. He previously worked as an actor on the sitcom "Moesha" in 1997 and appeared as a guest on "American Dreams" and "Sabrina The Teenage Witch" in the early 2000s. He also served as a judge on seasons 4 and 6 of NBC's "The Voice."

"Storyville is an epic tale sparked by the origins of the sound that inspired my career – a story that touches the nerve of social and cultural relevance today," Usher said in a statement obtained by the outlet.

Aside from Usher, Starlings' president Chris Philip and CEO Karine Martin will also serve as the new series' executive producers, along with Marcus Morton, who also worked on the initial development of the project, Macdonald and Becker.

"Usher's massive global appeal, musical and acting genius will propel this unique and compelling original series into must-see viewing worldwide," Philip said. "His invaluable creative and musical contributions to Storyville fulfill our vision of contrasting the gritty, sometimes brutal sides of New Orleans life with it giving birth to a beautiful, diverse and defining new artform."

Starlings Television was behind the mystery drama "Departure," as well as the sci-fi series "Pandora." The studio is yet to announce the production schedule and release date of the new series.

Last year, Usher co-hosted a CBS documentary special, "The Activist," with Priyanka Chopra.

Co-produced by Global Citizen and Live Nation, the documentary show was initially intended as a competition series but its format was changed following criticisms. The show revolved around six activists from around the world who are working to bring meaningful results in the areas of health, education and the environment.