EURweb.com - AUDREY’S SOCIETY WHIRL: ASCAP honors Quincy Jones at all-star celebration.

*On Tuesday, April 22, Quincy Jones celebrated the big 7-5 at an all-star celebration at Nokia Theatre in Times Square, New York that was attended by distinguished members of the entertainment community and hosted by ASCAP president & Chairman Marilyn Bergman.

The composer, arranger, conductor, producer, instrumentalist, educator and humanitarian is one of the foremost exponents of American Music and its best ambassador worldwide and in honor of this, the ASCAP Foundation established a fund in his name to benefit and help support aspiring music creators.

Proceeds from the elegant evening that boasted a lovely cocktail reception and sumptuous dinner will be donated to the fund in his honor. Another gift making this milestone birthday a most memorable one was receipt of the prestigious ASCAP Pied Piper Award.

“Quincy Jones is an original, one of music’s true renaissance men who has done everything. And through American Popular Music – Jazz, R&B, Pop, Rap and music for Film and Television – Quincy has touched virtually everyone with an ear tuned in to our nation’s talent and its culture, commented Bergman.

In presenting ASCAP’s highest honor to Quincy, Bergman, who was joined by John LoFrumento, ASCAP chief executive officer, continued, “He has reached his 75th birthday but his perpetual energy and activity make him forever young, whether creating music, encouraging music creators or bringing music to millions everywhere. Quincy is most worthy of the highest honor bestowed by ASCAP – the Pied Piper Award.”

The invitation-only, all-star musical celebration was highlighted with a musical tribute to “Q” – as he is affectionately known -- featuring friends and admirers from the songwriting and performing world, including Ashford & Simpson, Patti Austin, Tony Bennett, Tevin Campbell, James Ingram, Gloria Estefan, Roberta Flack, Siedah Garrett, Savion Glover, Lesley Gore, Al Jarreau, Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, Greg Phillinganes, Take 6, Tamia, James Moody, Clark Terry, James D-Train Williams, and cast members of Stomp.

“How very fitting that tonight’s celebration of Quincy Jones is bringing together some of our very finest artists in pop, jazz and R&B, all of whom have been touched by his musical genius, all of whom love the wonderful person he is,” commented Bergman about the show which was produced by Austin with lots of help from fellow musician and friend Phillinganes who both received critical acclaim from Bergman and a rousing ovation from partygoers.

Musical director Phillinganes (piano) was joined by a soulful group of top grovemeisters Alex “Al” Dunbar (bass); James Harrah (guitar); Bashiri Johnson (percussion); John Robinson (drums); and Michael Ricchiuti (keyboards).

Additional musicians adding pulsating sounds to the musical tribute included Lee Musiker (piano); Jerry Barnes (bass); Sherrod Barnes (guitar); Shelton Becton (keyboard); Ricardo Jordan (drums); and the Darryl Tookes children’s choir.

Some of the VIPs saluting “Q” and grooving to the music included Johntá Austin, Kathleen Battle, Jellybean Benitez, Hal David, Jon Faddis, Michael Feinstein, Whoopi Goldberg, Chuck Jackson, Hal Jackson, Johnny Mandel, Melle Mel, Rev. Al Sharpton, Julie Taymor, Jimmy Webb, Bebe Winans, Gordon Chambers, Ray Chew, Lu Willard and many more.

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 315,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with over 90 music rights organizations such that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world.

ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American Performing Rights Organization owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. (Photos by Audrey J. Bernard)