The Grammys made positive to pay correct tribute to one of the crucial vital figures in twentieth century fashionable music — the late Quincy Jones — with a star-studded tribute efficiency recognizing the producer, composer and instrumentalist’s diverse musical achievements all through the many years.
The efficiency was launched by Will Smith, who acknowledged his profession wouldn’t be what it’s with out the Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air govt producer and composer (later calling him “a mentor, buddy, father determine”). The musical portion of the tribute to Jones started with legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock enjoying Jones’ basic ’60s instrumental “Killer Joe.” Hancock was then joined by vocal powerhouse Cynthia Erivo for a show-stopping efficiency of “Fly Me to the Moon,” which grew to become a signature tune for Frank Sinatra with Jones arranging his efficiency.
The duo have been then changed by nation star Lainey Wilson and do-everything artist (and Jones protégé) Jacob Collier on piano for a rollicking efficiency of Jones’ ’90s rave-up “Let the Good Instances Roll.” After that, Hancock was welcomed again to the keys, together with all-time nice Stevie Marvel on harmonica for a rendition of Jones’ model of jazz staple “Bluesette.” Marvel then capped the tribute by introducing (and main the gang in a singalong of) “We Are the World,” the all-star USA for Africa charity single that Jones produced 40 years earlier in 1985.
However there was nonetheless extra to come back — after Will Smith returned to inform an anecdote of Jones educating him about taking duty for his crew on the set of Contemporary Prince, Smith launched Janelle Monáe as the ultimate performer of the tribute. Monáe paid homage to Jones’ unimaginable run of collaboration with Michael Jackson with a efficiency of their first Billboard Sizzling 100 No. 1 collectively, “Don’t Cease Until You Get Sufficient,” full with an “I (Coronary heart) QJ” t-shirt that she unveiled whereas dancing on the tables within the Crypto.com Area crowd.
Quincy Jones is among the most embellished figures within the historical past of the Grammys, successful 28 awards over the course of his generation-spanning profession — together with two album of the yr wins for Jackson’s Thriller (1984) and his personal Again on the Block (1991).
