Quincy Jones Recognised At Abu Dhabi Festival For His Musical Legacy And Humanitarian Efforts

The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Berklee Abu Dhabi recently celebrated Quincy Jones' remarkable influence on music and culture. This event was part of the Riwaq Al Fikr - ADMAF Talks series, which honours influential figures in global music and humanitarian efforts. Quincy Jones, with an impressive 2,900 credits in film, TV, and music, has won 28 Grammy Awards, an Emmy, a Tony, and an Oscar.

Held at Berklee Abu Dhabi, the event featured a panel of cultural and musical leaders who discussed Jones’ significant contributions. The panel included Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises; Ron Savage from Berklee College of Music; Sean K. Skeete from Berklee; Mayssa Karaa from Berklee Abu Dhabi; and Terri Lyne Carrington from the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.

Badr Jafar highlighted Quincy Jones' role in using music to unite people. He stated, "Quincy didn’t just make music - he built bridges. His belief in music as a force for unity mirrors the UAE’s own commitment to cultural dialogue and creativity as engines of progress." Jafar also mentioned their collaboration on "Bokra" (Tomorrow), a charity single featuring 17 Arab artists that raised funds for arts education.

The song "Bokra" has been viewed over 40 million times on YouTube and continues to spread hope across the region. Jafar emphasised that their work together reflected Jones' enduring message: music fused with purpose can inspire and empower communities globally.

Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF, expressed her admiration for Quincy Jones during the event. She said, "The Riwaq Al Fikr – ADMAF Talks Series has long been a popular feature of the Abu Dhabi Festival... But today was special as we paid tribute to an icon – not just of music, but of humanity: the legendary Quincy Jones."

She added that Jones once said, "Music has the power to heal wounds, bridge divides, and bring people together. Use it wisely." This belief aligns with ADMAF's values and those of the UAE. Al Khamis-Kanoo stressed their commitment to carrying forward his legacy.

Berklee's Role in Celebrating Music

Jim Lucchese, President of Berklee, remarked on the shared dedication between Berklee and ADMAF to harnessing music's unifying power. He noted that hosting this conversation at Berklee Abu Dhabi was both fitting and an honour due to Quincy Jones being a Berklee alumnus who embodied this commitment.

The Riwaq Al Fikr - ADMAF Talks series provides students and audiences in the UAE with unique opportunities to engage with global cultural leaders through live talks and lectures. This initiative is part of the broader Abu Dhabi Festival's mission to celebrate arts as catalysts for positive change.

The event underscored how Quincy Jones' legacy continues to inspire new generations through his belief in music as a tool for unity. The collaboration between ADMAF and Berklee highlights their shared vision for fostering cultural dialogue through artistic expression.

With inputs from WAM