Maxwell spent an intimate evening with his fans on “VH1 Storytellers.” The smooth operator and his 10-piece band performed a soulful set before a 150-member audience at Metropolis Studios in New York City. He catered to the ladies with the sultry “Bad Habits,” pleaded for the troops return before the politically-inspired “Fistful of Tears,” and had everyone on their feet for “Sumthin’ Sumthin’” and “Get to Know Ya,” closing with “Pretty Wings.”

“‘Storytellers’ has been around for 15 years, and it’s been 15 years since I put out my first album Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite,” the humble crooner told the crowd. “You have this dream as a kid, and the next thing you know you’re at ‘VH1 Storytellers’ and the crowd is singing along to your songs. It’s a blessing.”

The follow-up to BLACKsummers’night is due later this year, but for now, groove to the sweet sounds of Maxwell below.

Maxwell took his fans to church during his “VH1 Storytellers” performance of “Fistful of Tears,” getting emotional while reflecting on his rise to success. VH1 offers a sneak peek at the intimate show, which airs Friday at 11 p.m. EST/PST.

“‘Fistful of Tears’ was definitely inspired by the war,” Maxwell told the audience. “I hate the fact that we’re fighting. I can’t wait for the troops to come back. The fact that we’re fighting a religious war is crazy to me. I mean everyone should believe in whatever they want to believe in, just don’t mess with me.”

While most of the country was tuned into the NBA Finals on Sunday night, Maxwell was celebrating Broadway’s best at the 65th Annual Tony Awards in New York City. The R&B crooner, looking sharp in a black tux, was there to support the play “The Motherfucker with the Hat” starring Chris Rock and Annabella Sciorra, which was nominated six times.

Maxwell, whose “VH1 Storytellers” special airs this Friday, recently expressed his support for British songstress Adele, tweeting, “ADELE is gonna win every last award in the coming months… save your acceptance speech it’s her year.”

Maxwell got into the groove when he taped “VH1 Storytellers” before an intimate 150-member audience at Metropolis Studios in New York City earlier this month. The R&B crooner and his 10-piece, all-star band delivered a soulful set, bringing fans onstage at one point for an impromptu dance party.

“‘Storytellers’ has been around for 15 years, and it’s been 15 years since I put out my first album Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite,” the humble star told the crowd. “You have this dream as a kid, and the next thing you know you’re at ‘VH1 Storytellers’ and the crowd is singing along to your songs. It’s a blessing.”

During the 12-song set, Maxwell performed hits spanning his catalogue, including “Pretty Wings” and the war-inspired “Fistful of Tears” from his 2009 Grammy-winning album BLACKsummers’night. As he prepares for the sequel’s arrival later this year, he took fans back in time to play past favorites and celebrate his storied career.

“VH1 Storytellers: Maxwell” will premiere on June 17 at 11 p.m.

Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty for VH1

Even on Christmas, Maxwell knows how to set the mood. The soul man smoothed things out by performing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Silent Night,” backed by a choir, for TNT’s “Christmas in Washington” at the National Building Museum in D.C. The bespectacled star, looking dapper in a tux, joined President Obama and the First Family for the annual tradition in the nation’s capital. Watch him sing in the spirit of the season below.

Hip-hop represented on the court at last night’s New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat game at Madison Square Garden in New York City. After meeting up with his entire Young Money family earlier in the day, Drake joined Maxwell courtside. The heartthrobs snacked on pizza and shared laughs as they watched the game, along with Fabolous, DJ Clue, Birdman, and DJ Khaled. Even a Jonas brother was in the house.

Drizzy said he was impressed by Lil Wayne’s lyrics on his new single “6 Foot 7 Foot.” “Listening to Lil Wayne is frustrating at times,” he told The Bay’s WiLD 94.9. “He dropped this song the other day and said, ‘Real Gs move in silence like lasagna,’ and the ‘G’ in lasagna is silent, so I just thought that was [clever].”

Maxwell keeps it classic in the black-and-white video for “Fistful of Tears” directed by Philip Andelman (“Pretty Wings”). The soul man is set to perform the ballad from his BLACKsummers’night album on “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” next week. His arena tour with Jill Scott kicks off May 21 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Oprah dedicated Wednesday’s show (Jan. 20) to Haiti. Wyclef Jean shared his devastating eyewitness account from his home country, while Rihanna performed “Redemption Song” and Maxwell sang “Fistful of Tears.”

The Barbados native explained why she chose Bob Marley’s song. “Growing up, anytime there was a really difficult situation, I always listened to this song ’cause it was so liberating, and even now I listen to it when my back is up against the wall,” she said. “I feel like the people of Haiti need to hear something inspiring.”

After a sold-out summer tour, Maxwell will return to the road in late September for a series of select North American concert dates. And this time around, he’s playing bigger venues and bringing a new friend.

Common will join the soul crooner’s BLACKsummers’night fall tour, kicking off September 25 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Chrisette Michele, who was on the first leg, will remain as the opening act.

The second leg of Maxwell’s tour will move from theaters to arenas, including Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl.

Tickets go on sale beginning August 14 at www.livenation.com. See the itinerary below.

Fri Sept 25 – Toronto – Air Canada Centre
Sat Sept 26 – Detroit – Joe Louis Arena (w/o Common)
Mon Sept 28 – New York – Madison Square Garden
Wed Sept 30 – Richmond – Richmond Coliseum
Fri Oct 2 – Washington DC – Verizon Center
Sat Oct 3 – Philadelphia – Wachovia Spectrum (w/o Common)
Mon Oct 5 – Atlanta – Philips Arena
Tue Oct 6 – Charlotte – Time Warner Cable Arena
Thu Oct 8 – Chicago – United Center
Fri Oct 9 – St. Louis – Scottrade Center
Mon Oct 12 – Dallas – TBA
Tue Oct 13 – Houston – Toyota Center
Fri Oct 16 – Los Angeles – Hollywood Bowl
Sat Oct 17 – San Francisco – TBA

Additional tour dates and information TBA.

Maxwell holds the key to actress Kerry Washington’s heart in the video for “Bad Habits,” the second single from his BLACKsummers’night album.