Grammys Tribute to Quincy Jones Features Cynthia Erivo, Will Smith and a Medley of Iconic Hits

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A slew of musical artists paid tribute to the late Quincy Jones at the Grammys on Sunday night.

On November 4th, I had the privilege of witnessing a heartfelt tribute to the legendary musician who left an indelible mark on music. The event featured a beautiful medley of some of the numerous songs he produced, composed, and performed across various genres throughout his illustrious career as a record producer, film composer, versatile artist, entertainment executive, and humanitarian.

In his introduction, Will Smith referred to Jones, who is affectionately known as “Q” by friends, as one of the most impactful and innovative personalities shaping our current era.

Smith acknowledged that Jones significantly impacted his life. He stated, “It’s quite possible that you might not recognize Will Smith if it weren’t for Quincy Jones. He enhanced the sounds of numerous great artists across various genres.

Smith continued discussing the collaborations of Jones, who teamed up with great artists such as Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Aretha Franklin, and Frank Sinatra. Together, they forged a musical alliance that not only broadened their horizons but also propelled them to greater achievements.

As a gamer, I found myself immersed in a heartfelt tribute that began with a jazz melody. Cynthia Erivo sang a soulful, unplugged rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon,” crooning alongside the melodious notes from Herbie Hancock’s piano. But then, the rhythm picked up as the energy of a lively brass band joined in, taking the song to new heights.

Afterward, Lainey Wilson gave a lively performance of “Let the Good Times Roll,” accompanied by Jacob Collier on the piano.

This transitioned into Stevie Wonder appearing on stage with Hancock, playing harmonica together with Hancock’s piano accompaniment on “Bluesette.” Later, Wonder introduced the famous song “We Are the World,” which was a fundraising effort for USA for Africa, an organization dedicated to eradicating poverty in Africa.

As a die-hard fan, I’d say, “Quincy was always ready to lend a hand, just like when he brought this incredible anthem to life, penned by none other than Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. This song wasn’t just music; it nourished millions of souls in Ethiopia.

Later, Wonder pointed towards a picture framed within Crypto.com Arena, which depicted numerous celebrities who contributed to the track’s recording, ranging from Diana Ross and Cyndi Lauper to Bruce Springsteen.

Looking up at the crowd, Wonder remarked, “You notice those folks? That very day, Quincy had instructed us to leave our egos behind.” While performing the number, the spectators – even luminaries such as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé – rose in unison, joining in the singing.

Awe filled the air as a group of people wearing sweatshirts bearing “LA” and a red heart, fitting the evening’s theme, participated. The event aimed at collecting funds for Los Angeles wildfire disaster relief.

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The scene was marked by admiration as a crowd donned “LA” sweatshirts with red hearts, aligning with the night’s motif, all in support of fundraising efforts for L.A. wildfire aid.

Afterward, Smith reappeared on stage, addressing Jones as his “mentor, friend, and father figure.” He reminisced about an incident from the early days of Smith’s TV series, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, where Jones served as the executive producer. Smith recalled how Jones urged him, a young rapper-turned-actor in his twenties at the time, to ensure he took care of those on his set. This advice came about when Jones noticed that the food provided wasn’t satisfactory.

At that moment, Smith was told by Jones, “You’re responsible for looking after these individuals.” Ever since then, Smith has made it a point in his career to fulfill Quincy’s expectation.

At the conclusion of her tribute, Janelle Monaé danced to Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough”, showcasing the moonwalk and sporting replicas of his iconic ’80s silver socks. To add a personal touch, she opened her shirt to display a tank top bearing the message “I [Heart] QJ.

I’ve always had a connection with the Grammy Awards, having been honored with the Legend Award back in 1991. Over the years, I’ve amassed 28 Grammys out of a remarkable 80 nominations, which is quite a feat! Additionally, I was bestowed the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award by the Motion Picture Academy in 1995 and received an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards in November.

Tonight, the Grammys, with Trevor Noah as host, will be broadcast live on CBS. Check out the complete roster of Grammy winners and all the glamorous red carpet appearances by your favorite stars.

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2025-02-03 07:25