Legendary composer, producer, arranger, and social activist Quincy Jones has been an inspiration for a number of different artists. During the years, he has worked with some of the greatest R&B, jazz, pop, blues, and gospel stars such as Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, Duke Ellington, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock, and Miles Davis. In 1968, together with songwriter Bob Rissel, Jones became the first African-American to be nominated for an Oscar (Best Original Song for Banning). In 2008, Jones was also named an Ambassador at the Grammys, and served as Artistic Advisor for the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

    On July 14th, 2008, a very special event took place at the Stravinsky Auditorium in Montreux, Switzerland. A number of musicians who have had the opportunity to work with Jones during the years gathered to celebrate his 75th birthday. For well over two hours, they sang, played, joked and thanked a living legend.

    The actual concert is truly impossible to describe with simple words. Even a quick glance at the names of the musicians who took the stage should immediately reveal to you how incredibly influential Jones has been. In fact, one could argue that many of them have been just as influential as Jones – years from now, people will still talk about Chaka Khan, Herbie Hanckok, Al Jarreau, James Moody, and Toots Thielemans.

    While I do not wish to single out any of the performances from Quincy Jones: The 75th Birthday Celebration as they are all absolutely terrific, there are two sets that I just have to mention to you. The first one is by the award-winning septet from New York City, Naturally 7. Their acapella versions of Billie Jean and Wall Of Sound are simply phenomenal. The second set is by Belgian jazz icon Toots Thielemans, who many years ago I was fortunate enough to see playing his harmonica live – at the age of 86, he is still as good as I remember him!


    Tracklisting:

    1. Introduction by Claude Nobs
    2. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly – Herbie Hancock, Patti Austin & Stevie Woods
    3. Let The Good Times Roll – Rahsaan Patterson & James Moody
    4. Makin’ Whoopee – Patti Austin
    5. Moody’s Mood – James Moody & Patti Austin
    6. The Television Song – James Moody & John Robinson
    7. Honeysuckle Rose – Freda Payne & Joe Sample
    8. Shiny Stockings – Freda Payne & Joe Sample
    9. I’m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town / In The Heat Of The Night – Mick Hucknall
    10. If I Ever Lose This Heaven – Ledisi
    11. Midnight Sun – Al Jarreau & Larry Williams
    12. One Mint Julep – Petula Clark
    13. Goin’ To Chicago Blues – Petula Clark & Paolo Nutini
    14. My Ship / Summertime – Franco Ambrosetti
    15. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – Nana Mouskouri & James Morrison
    16. Almost Like Being In Love – Nana Mouskouri & James Morrison
    17. Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister) – Chaka Khan, Patti Austin & Greg Phillinganes
    18. What’s Going On – Ledisi, James Morrison, Rahsaan Patterson, Tobias Preisig, Patrice Rushen & Toots Thielemans
    19. Eyes Of Love (Carol’s Theme) / Bluesette – Toots Thielemans
    20. Walking In Space – Chaka Khan & Lee Ritenour
    21. Strawberry Letter 23 – Paolo Nutini & Lee Ritenour
    23. How Do You Keep The Music Playing – Patti Austin
    24. The Dude – Al Jarreau
    25. Billie Jean – Naturally 7
    26. Wall Of Sound – Naturally 7
    27. Mama Aifambeni – Angelique Kidjo
    28. State Of Independence – Angelique Kidjo & Larry Williams
    29. Everything Must Change – Curtis Stigers
    30. Cool Joe, Mean Joe (Killer Joe) – Herbie Hancock
    31. Ai No Corrida – Patti Austin, Gabi Goldberg, Dorothea Lorene, Stevie Woods, Kent Stetler & Billy Cobham
    32. Stuff Like That – Monty Alexander, Patti Austin, Petula Clark, Billy Cobham, Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Angelique Kidjo, Beverley Knight, Nils Landgren, Ledisi, James Moody, James Morrison, Nana Mouskouri, Naturally 7, Rahsaan Patterson, Freda Payne, Patrice Rushen, Joe Sample, Curtis Stigers & Larry Williams