Quincy Jones’ 90th-Birthday Tribute: A Musical Celebration

Legendary American record producer, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film & television producer, the extraordinary and celebrated career of Quincy Jones spans 70 years, boasting 80 Grammy Award nominations, 28 Grammys, and a Grammy Legend Award in 1992.

Jones came to prominence in the 1950s as a jazz arranger and conductor before working on pop music and film scores. A gifted musician, Jones moved easily between genres, producing pop hit records for Lesley Gore in the early 1960s (including “It’s My Party”) and serving as an arranger and conductor for several collaborations between the jazz artists Frank Sinatra and Count Basie. 

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced details for Quincy Jones’ 90th-Birthday Tribute: A Musical Celebration, happening over two nights – Friday and Saturday, July 28-29, 2023 – at 8 p.m., at the Hollywood Bowl. 

The stellar lineup of performers confirmed to appear includes George Benson, Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer, Angélique Kidjo, Patti Austin, Ibrahim Maalouf, Sheléa and Siedah Garrett with additional special guests to be announced. As previously announced, Jules Buckley will conduct the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. 

“It’s an honor to be able to celebrate my 90th year on this planet with all-a-y’awl at the Hollywood Bowl, with some of my most treasured friends, musicians and songs. Thank-Q for keeping the music playing with and for me, and I can’t wait to see you all there!”

Quincy Jones.

With hits like “P.Y.T.,” “Thriller,” “Give Me the Night” and “Fly Me to the Moon” performed by an all-star lineup, Jones’ illustrious body of music will be on full display for this incomparable birthday celebration on two unforgettable evenings. It’s a chance to take in some of the best-selling songs of all time, from the best-selling producer of all time.

Over seven decades, Quincy Jones’ career has encompassed the roles of composer, record producer, artist, film producer, arranger, conductor, instrumentalist, TV producer, record company executive, television station owner, magazine founder, multimedia entrepreneur and humanitarian. As producer and conductor of the historic “We Are the World” recording (best-selling single of all time) and Michael Jackson’s RIAA multi-Platinum certified solo albums Off the Wall, Bad and Thriller (the best-selling album of all time, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide), Jones stands as one of the most successful and admired creative artists/executives in the history of the entertainment world. A Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical for the Broadway production of The Color Purple completed the rare EGOT set for Jones, an exclusive club of artists who have received an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award. He will next serve as producer, along with Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, of the forthcoming feature film of the critically acclaimed musical.

Grammy-winning conductor, arranger, curator and composer Jules Buckley is redefining the rulebook of orchestral music and the role of a conductor. In 2016, he led the Metropole Orkest in a stunning tribute to Jones, his longtime collaborator.

The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra is an international mix of classically trained musicians who are among the best studio musicians in Los Angeles. In a single season, the orchestra performs everything from Broadway favorites to film music, pop music to jazz, with repertoire as diverse as Hollywood itself. 

The LA Phil previously honored Jones in Quincy Jones: The A&M Years, led by musical director Christian McBride, with conductor John Clayton and a host of jazz masters, at the Hollywood Bowl in September 2017.

Tickets for Quincy Jones’ 90th-Birthday Tribute: A Musical Celebration are available at hollywoodbowl.com, by phone at 323 850 2000 or at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office. Programs, artists, dates, prices and availability are subject to change.

Quincy Jones’ 90th-Birthday Tribute: A Musical Celebration is produced for the Los Angeles Philharmonic by FestivalWest, Inc.