“Q, that is for you!” proclaimed singer Patti Austin in kicking off the second of a two-night celebration of Quincy Jones’ 90th birthday on the Hollywood Bowl (July 28-29). The 2-and-a-half-hour tribute delivered a power-packed sampling of the music icon’s multifaceted, illustrious profession as an artist, producer, arranger and conductor.
Jones’ goddaughter Austin, Stevie Surprise and acclaimed newcomer Samara Pleasure have been among the many artists who lifted their divine voices in tribute. Backing them have been core members of Jones’ longtime home band through the years, together with music director/keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. and bassist Nathan East, alongside the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra led by conductor Jules Buckley.
And whereas Jones, born Quincy Delight Jones on March 14, 1933, wasn’t in attendance, there’s little doubt he felt the great vibrations emanating from the Bowl. Listed here are 5 memorable moments from Saturday evening’s (July 29) efficiency:
A Surprise-Full Time: Reprising his shock celebration look from the evening earlier than, Surprise joined Austin onstage for a memory-evoking rendition of “Betcha’ Wouldn’t Harm Me” — a tune the latter guested on initially for Jones’ 1981 album The Dude. After that, Surprise took an elated Bowl viewers again to one among his basic albums, 1972’s Speaking E book, with the tune “You’ve Obtained It Dangerous Lady.” Earlier than that, Surprise shared with the viewers that he’d first met Jones when he was a 14-year-old “operating across the Apollo Theater like I might see” and heard that Jones was within the constructing.
“After I met Quincy, it was magical,” added Surprise. “I’d grown up listening to his music and preparations; he knew Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Depend Basie, Frank Sinatra and others. After I did Speaking E book, he recorded ‘You’ve Obtained It Dangerous Lady’ for one among his albums and likewise did ‘Superstition’ with Ray Charles for one more.” Concluding his full-circle second, Surprise famous, “I wish to thanks [Quincy] for every little thing you’ve given me — all of the inspiration, the various instances you mentioned it’s not fairly proper; preserve engaged on it, and for bringing individuals collectively by way of music.”
Earlier than teaming with Surprise, Austin delivered a hovering learn on one among her personal gems, “How Do You Preserve the Music Taking part in?” A duet with singer James Ingram that was launched within the 1982 movie Greatest Associates, it turned a success single after being featured on Ingram’s Jones-produced 1983 debut album, It’s Your Night time. Afterwards, Austin shouted out “two pricey buddies [now deceased] who made all of this attainable”: Ingram and Marilyn Bergman, the tune’s co-lyricist with widower Alan Bergman.
Timothy Norris/Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliation
A Joyous Second: Along with her reinterpretation of “Misty” — the Erroll Garner jazz basic that Sarah Vaughan recorded with Jones and his orchestra in 1958 — Samara Pleasure effortlessly underscored why she was awarded Grammys for finest new artist and finest jazz vocal album earlier this 12 months. With a wealthy, full-bodied voice and subtle-into-soaring vary and emotional nuances that belie the 23-year-old’s age, Pleasure and her efficiency — complemented by a riveting sax solo from one other Jones collaborator, Larry Williams — referred to as to thoughts Jones’ early begin as a jazz trumpeter, arranger and conductor and his work with different feminine vocalists similar to Dinah Washington. So did Aloe Blacc’s partaking rendering of one among Jones’ most well-known preparations: Frank Sinatra’s swinging tackle the usual “Fly Me to the Moon” in 1964 with the Depend Basie Orchestra additionally alongside for the journey.
Hudson’s Homage: Bringing forth the gusto that propelled “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” her signature tune within the 2006 movie Dreamgirls, Jennifer Hudson (who solely carried out on Saturday) fiercely punched her manner by way of Lesley Gore’s 1963 feminist pop anthem, “You Don’t Personal Me.” Jones, who broke the C-suite colour barrier at a file label when he was appointed a vp at Mercury Information in 1961, produced the No. 2 single and likewise Gore’s earlier No. 1 debut, “It’s My Celebration.” Hudson’s efficiency — peppered with excessive, sustained notes — confirmed off her impeccable vary as she strutted forwards and backwards. Then because the music stopped, she strode offstage nonetheless belting out the phrase “you don’t personal me” — prompting an viewers member to yell, “You go, lady!”
The MJ Suite: Following a 20-minute intermission, the celebration bought again all the way down to enterprise with a salute to the top-selling, award-winning collaborations between Jones and King of Pop Michael Jackson. Vula Malinga, one of many night’s 5 gifted background vocalists, jumpstarted the second half with a rousing efficiency of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.” She returned to carry out “P.Y.T.,” whereas fellow backing vocalist Avery Wilson energetically reprised “Rock With You,” “Off the Wall” and “Thriller.” Along with his mom Suzie Collier as conductor, Jones protégé Jacob Collier sat down on the piano for a touching tackle “Human Nature.” Including the icing on the phase was Siedah Garrett, who sang “Man within the Mirror,” which she and Glen Ballard co-wrote for Jackson. Her passionate and pressing supply emphasised simply how timeless that 1988 No. 1 tune is given the present social and political local weather right here and globally.
Timothy Norris/Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliation
Double Encores: The Bowl’s full home was handled to 2 encores. The primary: Jones’ cowl of “Let the Good Instances Roll” with Bono, Ray Charles and Surprise from 1995’s Q’s Jook Joint. Buying and selling verses for the 2023 model have been Austin, Pleasure, Collier, Jones’ protégé pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf with visitor drummer Gregg Area. Then Surprise returned to guide them and the night’s different performers in his 1980 tune “Comfortable Birthday,” written to commemorate the primary nationwide celebration of Martin Luther King Day. Surprise performed an instrumental function in securing a federal vacation for the civil rights pioneer. “It could be loopy for me to not finish this celebration with one thing that Quincy was the primary one to say I’ll do it,” mentioned Surprise referencing a TV particular that marked the vacation’s first celebration. If not for you [Quincy], all of us on this stage wouldn’t be the place we’re as we speak.”
Among the many different artists comprising the lineup for the two-night Quincy Jones’ 90th Birthday Tribute: A Musical Celebration have been: John Legend (Friday), Angélique Kidjo (Friday), BJ The Chicago Child (Friday), Sheléa and Stevie Mackey.
