Quincy Jones News

Art enthusiasts gathered last night (May 22) at Montalvo Arts Center for an exclusive members-only unveiling of its 2019-2020 Carriage House Theatre Concert Series line-up. The historic Silicon Valley venue announced a thrilling roster of performers from Meow Meow to The Second City, from Pablo Cruise to Loudon Wainwright III, tributes to The Beatles, Cream, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and an appearance by NPR's hit radio show and podcast "Selected Shorts." The season launches in October, offering a stellar line-up of theatre, comedy, magic, Grammy Award nominees/winners performing jazz, bluegrass, pop, rock, classical, new age, folk, Hawaiian music, and more. Tickets are now available to Montalvo members, and go on-sale to the general public beginning May 30. For more information or to purchase tickets, the public can visit montalvoarts.org or call 408-961-5858.

DC Jazz Festival (DCJF), with the only city-wide jazz festival in the mid-Atlantic region, today announced a veritable cornucopia of free concerts including an incredible international roster of jazz artists from five continents, slated to perform at indoor and outdoor venues across DC at the DC JazzFest presented by Events DC (DC JazzFest). The free programming offers a wonderful complement to the scintillating lineup of ticketed signature events, enhancing the overall festival experience.

Geffen Playhouse raised more than $1.3 million for the theater's education, community engagement and artistic initiatives at its 17th annual Backstage at the Geffen fundraiser held May 19, it was announced today. Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon franchise, The Color Purple, Dreamgirls) presented the Artistic Impact Award for Harry Belafonte, which was accepted by daughter Gina Belafonte on his behalf, and Jane Fonda (Grace & Frankie, Book Club, 9 to 5) presented the Distinction in Theater Award to Lily Tomlin.

A whole lot of rhythm was goin' down at Live House in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 9, at the 'George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic JammJam' presented by Jammcard. George Clinton, the man who invented P-funk, was in attendance to witness stellar roof-tearing performances by some of his best-known acolytes including Ice Cube, Anderson .Paak, CeeLo Green, Eddie Griffin, Battlecat plus members of the original Parliament Funkadelic. Clinton testified, 'They had me crying like a bitch with tears of joy.'

The Apollo Theater today announced details for its 2019 Apollo Spring Gala, the historic Theater's largest annual fundraising event, taking place on Monday, June 10 at 7 p.m. In honor of the Theater's 85th Anniversary, this year's gala theme is "Icons Revisited," which will explore iconic Apollo performers through the lens of contemporary artists.

The legendary Apollo Theater – the soul of American culture and a globally recognized national treasure – will honor the legendary and iconic Temptations with their induction into the Apollo's Walk of Fame. Otis Williams, founding and only surviving, original member of the Motown super-group, will accept the honor.

ZAZ has been compared to the likes of Edith Piaf, Yves Montand and Ella Fitzgerald and her signature voice is celebrated all over the world. Since the start of her career in 2010 with the seminal hit “Je veux” ZAZ has won a multitude of awards, including French and German Grammys, and has sold in excess of four million records internationally, with Gold status or higher in twelve countries.

VIVIAN REED will debut her new show "Little Bit of Soul, Little Bit of Pop" at The Green Room 42 on Saturday, June 15 at 7:00 PM. Reed is back to display her rare vocal ability to powerfully deliver songs in a variety of genres. The evening is packed with her unique arrangements of well-known music from an eclectic group of songwriters, such as Lionel Richie, Steve Winwood, Brenda Russell, Alan Jay Lerner, and Stevie Wonder. Her energy and passion are accompanied by conductor James Davis on piano, leading an all-star quintet.

More than 1,000 graduates from 67 countries and 47 U.S. states received degrees today at Berklee College of Music's 2019 commencement. At the ceremony, Berklee President Roger H. Brown presented honorary doctor of music degrees to music icons Missy Elliott, Justin Timberlake, and Alex Lacamoire. Lacamoire, a 1995 graduate of the college, delivered the commencement address to the graduating class and an estimated audience of nearly 7,000 guests at Agganis Arena.

As part of her ongoing world tour, beloved French singer ZAZ today announced seven North American concert dates in October 2019.

As part of her ongoing world tour, beloved French singer ZAZ today announced seven North American concert dates in October 2019.

Today, The Last Poets released their new song “ A.M. Project” from their Jamaaladeen Tacuma-produced album Transcending Toxic Times (out tomorrow via Ropeadope). So far the full length has been praised by Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Complex, Glide, and Billboard, who described “A.M. Project” as “a wide-ranging, eight-plus minute track that… incorporates a number of 'personal things' ranging from love to substance issues and an overall search for purpose and meaning in life.”

DC Jazz Festival (DCJF), with the only city-wide jazz festival in the mid-Atlantic region, today announced that Nick Cannon will host Great Masters of Jazz, on June 16 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Co-presented by the DC Jazz Festival and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with support from Events DC, Great Masters of Jazz will celebrate the life and work of the legend Quincy Jones; the trailblazing trumpeter-bandleader Roy Hargrove; the highly influential song stylist Nancy Wilson; and DC's own peerless pianist-vocalist Shirley Horn and saxophonist-educator Fred Foss. Featured performers and presenters include the Roy Hargrove Big Band, Patti Austin, Kenny Garrett, Justin Kauflin, Adam Clayton Powell III, Angela Stribling, Paxton Baker, Sharón Clark, Princess Mhoon Dance Project, and very special guests.

Emerging local artists Alina Hernandez, After the Millenials, Thursdays in Suburbia, Victoria Elise, Hybrid Odyssey, Anneston, Matty Bloom and Jalen Parker have been chosen to participate in Music Forward Foundation's annual 'Bringing Down the House' artist development program which culminates with a free, live showcase for all-ages on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at The Wiltern at 7 p.m. Friends, family and fans are invited to attend and celebrate these rising young talents. Doors open at 6 p.m.

17 year old critically acclaimed singer/songwriter, composer and pianist Emily Bear, has released her brand new single entitled, 'I'm Not Alone.' The track, produced by Toby Gad (John Legend, Beyoncé, Fergie) and Kill Dave, showcases Bear's distinct vocal talent against a more pop/urban leaning sound. 'I'm Not Alone' is the first glimpse of music from her forthcoming EP, set for release later this year. The song was also featured in a major real-life dramatic scene on Monday night's episode of 'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta' on VH1. 

The Music Forward Foundation will present a free music showcase featuring emerging Chicago musicians chosen for the 2019 'Bringing Down the House' artist development program on May 19 at the House of Blues Chicago.

Celebrated within the jazz community as a multi-talented musician, Lisa Maxwell, finally releases a long-awaited album of her own material, dedicated to a special cohort. The lineup reads like a Who's Who of the music world (see personnel below).

Geffen Playhouse will honor legendary singer, songwriter, actor and activist Harry Belafonte and groundbreaking performer, comedienne and activist Lily Tomlin during its 17th annual Backstage at the Geffen fundraiser, it was announced today.

LA Dance Festival provides a wonderland for dance experience for Los Angeles. Catch what you can of class offerings, events, and the Fringe portion of the Festival April 26, 27, 28 at the Diavolo Space. https://ladancefest.org

Today, The Midnight Hour--thetight rhythm section and full orchestra lead by Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest) and Adrian Younge--released a new live recording of their celebrated 2018 self-titled debut album. The Midnight Hour: Live at Linear Labs features 15-tracks recorded live in front of an intimate audience at Younge's Highland Park, CA studio, Linear Labs. They will kick off their European tour this Sunday, April 21 in the U.K.