The iconic Quincy Jones will return to the UK this year, for a concert that will pay tribute to his unparalleled career, in celebration of his 85th birthday year. He will stop at The O2 on Wednesday 27 June 2018.
Joined by a host of special guests, and a full symphony orchestra, this one-off show will bring the acclaimed producer, songwriter, composer, and all-round hitmaker back to the stage for a night of music, as well as an onstage conversation. He will also be musical director for the show, as the orchestra performs stunning arrangements of his best loved hits, conducted by Jules Buckley, and sung by some of the world’s greatest musical talents.
Special guests confirmed for this exclusive one-off show thus far include:
- Corinne Bailey Rae
- Jess Glynne
- Mick Hucknall
- Mark Ronson
- Jack Savoretti
- Caro Emerald
- Lalah Hathaway
- Beverley Knight
- Jonah Nilsson
- Andreas Varady
- Paul Weller
With many more to be announced.
The concert will also feature a tribute to English songwriter, producer, and musician Rod Temperton, who passed away in 2016. Originally the keyboardist and main songwriter for the band Heatwave, whose hits include ‘“Boogie Nights” and “Always and Forever”, Temperton was approached by Quincy Jones to write songs for Michael Jackson—which marked the beginning of one of the most successful musical partnerships in history, as well as a life-long friendship.
Songs performed live at this exclusive show will include hits from across Jones’ career, such as “Thriller”, “Billie Jean”, “Off The Wall”, “Rock With You”, “P.Y.T”, “Bad”, “Ai No Corrida”, “Fly Me To The Moon”, “Give Me The Night”, “On Days Like These”, “Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me”, and more. These songs will be orchestrated using the original arrangements from Jones’ own vault in L.A.
Named by Time Magazine as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th Century, Quincy Jones is an icon in the broadest and most creative sense of the word. His career has encompassed the roles of composer, artist, arranger, conductor, instrumentalist, record company executive, magazine founder, multi-media entrepreneur, humanitarian, investor, and record, film, and TV producer. As a master inventor of musical hybrids, he has shuffled pop, soul, hip-hop, jazz, classical, African, and Brazilian music into many dazzling fusions, traversing virtually every medium, including records, live performance, movies, and television.
On performing this very special one-off concert, Quincy Jones said: “For many years, I couldn’t play in the UK because the unions wouldn’t allow Americans to do concerts there. Finally, it worked out for us to go in ‘96 for a tribute to Nelson Mandela, and I conducted a show at the Royal Albert Hall with Phil Collins, Tony Bennett, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Hugh Masekela, Letta Mbulu, and many other talented performers. I’ll never forget standing on the stage thinking that, after waiting 30 years, I was finally able to perform in such a historic venue.
Anyways, it was a long time coming, so every time I get to return to the UK, it’s truly meaningful; after not being allowed in at one point, you never take it for granted. But more importantly, I know this show is going to be an emotional one for me because we’ll be doing a tribute to my brother Rod Temperton, on his home turf. I love and miss him with all of my heart and soul, but I’m definitely looking forward to sharing such a special moment with his home country.”
Tickets are on sale now.
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