SANTA MONICA, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Recording Academy) - The GRAMMY Foundation announced today that it will honor
Quincy Jones, the ambassador of The Recording Academy's 50th Celebration, at its annual signature gala Starry Night — an intimate benefit concert and dinner — on Saturday, July 28, 2007. Jones will be the recipient of the Foundation's Leadership Award, which salutes noteworthy humanitarians whose charitable work and contributions align with the mission of the Foundation. This prestigious award is being presented to Jones in recognition of a lifetime of commitment and dedication to social, cultural, economic and educational issues spanning the globe. Starry Night is one of the first celebrations of The Recording Academy's 50th milestone celebration.
"Throughout his legendary career, Quincy has redefined excellence — making unparalleled contributions to art and music," said Neil Portnow President of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation. We look forward to paying tribute to a man who has touched the feelings and emotions of so many around the world."
"The evening's festivities and the presentation of our Leadership Award provide an opportunity to celebrate Quincy's achievements and reflect on the GRAMMY Foundation's strong and ongoing commitment to foster future generations of music professionals," added Steve Schnur GRAMMY Foundation Board Chair.
As an instinctive visionary and collaborator, Jones' philanthropic and social activism began early in his career, starting with his staunch support of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s. Among his many philanthropic honors, Jones is the recipient of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, UNICEF's Spirit of Compassion Award and most recently he was named Mentor of the Year by Harvard University. He is one of the founders of the Institute for Black American Music — an organization charged with creating a national library of African-American art and music — is co-founder of Chicago's Black Arts Festival, and has worked closely with Bono and other artists on a number of crucial international issues. He is the founder of the Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation, a charity that connects youth with technology, education, culture and music, and fosters an intercultural exchange between underprivileged youth of Los Angeles and South Africa. Jones is also an advocate and supporter of other worthwhile charities including NAACP, GLAAD, Peace Games and AmFAR, among others.
His successful career as a composer, record producer, artist, film producer, arranger, conductor, instrumentalist, TV producer, record company executive, magazine founder, and multi-media entrepreneur has spanned more than six decades. His work in the entertainment industry has been praised with an array of nominations and accolades from the GRAMMY Awards to the Academy Awards. His work in the music industry, producing such groundbreaking and record-holding albums as Michael Jackson's Thriller and "We Are the World," has earned him a record 79 GRAMMY Award nominations, 27 GRAMMY Awards, and the GRAMMY Legend Award in 1991. He has been a member of The Recording Academy for more than 40 years, and has written the foreword for The Academy's 50th Celebration coffee table book, which will be released in October.
"I'm happy to make room on the shelf for the GRAMMY Foundation Leadership Award," noted Jones. "It's going to join a prestigious group of accolades, but it sums up how I've lived my life — making music and giving back. My affiliation with the GRAMMY Foundation has only underscored the importance of both of these gifts."
The star-studded event will feature performances by some of the most celebrated artists in the world and multi-GRAMMY Award-winning producer and GRAMMY Foundation Board member David Foster will serve as the evening's musical director
To purchase tables or tickets to the event, contact Dana Tomarken or Kelly Darr at 310.392.3777, [email protected], [email protected].
The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture — from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with The Recording Academy to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit www.grammyfoundation.com.
Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as The Recording Academy, is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards, The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs — including the creation of the national public education campaign What's The Download (WhatsTheDownload.com). For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.
