Quincy Jones next to his bronze statue next to Montreux Jazz
Child of Chicago, Quincy Jones was born
in miserable conditions, on March 14th 1933. In the beginning of the ‘50ies, Quincy starts playing Jazz en stage. He becomes a trumpet player and joins Lionel Hampton, touring with him in Europe with the great stars then, such as Clifford Brown, Art Farmer, Gigi Gryce and Alan Dwason. He overtakes the musical direction of Dizzie Gillespie’s, starts a long-lasting collaboration and friendship with Ray Charles and, in 56, records a first album solo called This Is How I Feel About Jazz. The album meets great success and shall represent the beginning of the unbelievable career of Quincy Jones as a Jazzman. Until the 90ies, Quincy Jones records a huge quantity of albums, amongst them This Is How I Feel which comes out in 84, and he continues producing numerous Jazz references such as Sinatra, Ray Charles, Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennet. Then arrives the planetary success with the production of Michael Jackson’s record album Thriller. And Quincy is not afraid to go even through Rap…
A few times after these summits of fame, “Q” contributes to the Montreux Jazz Festival history by being co-producer of the 1991 – 1993 editions, using the MJF as a support for some of his crazy projects.
Quincy Jones was the honoured guest star on Monday July 14th, 2008, at The Stravinsky Music Hall. The Festival brought up a Gala Concert Night, celebrating the 75 years of the American genius. More than 20 very famous artists were on stage and sang songs composed or arranged by the musician/producer Quincy Jones: Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Petula Clark, Angélique Kidjo and Nana Mouskouri were happy to pay tribute. Only 2’800 very lucky people got a ticket for this exceptional music night prepared for month by Claude Nobs. Upon the concert’s ending Claude Nobs donated a cheque of 50,000 dollars to Quincy Jones’s charity “Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation”. These funds were reaped from the main rehearsal’s ticket sale revenue, which took place on the afternoon of the concert and was open to the public.
The day after, Barbara Riley donated a bronze statue of Quincy Jones in the legendary musician’s honour and for which many celebrities were present at the Montreux Palace’s garden.
Statues and Monuments 
