BOKRA, the Sony Music Entertainment Charity Release Is

 No. 1

In Stores Across The UAE!

Sony Music Entertainment Middle East is proud to announce that after only one week of being on the market, the “Bokra” album has soared to No. 1 across music stores in the Middle East. The music sales charts, issued by Virgin Megastores on weekly basis, were published this week, and “Bokra” has effortlessly taken the lead on both Arabic and International charts only a few days after its scheduled release on the 22^nd of November.

Legendary global Music Producer, Quincy Jones has collaborated with Emirati entrepreneur, Badr Jafar, representing the Global Gumbo group to jointly produce an Arabic charity single entitled ‘TOMORROW/ BOKRA’. The song features Arabic vocals performed by 24 Artists from 16 Arab countries across the Middle East and North Africa singing with one voice for a better tomorrow. The Arabic lyrics were written by iconic Majida El Roumi, and the Arabic music adaptation is by Kadim Al Sahir.  Grammy Award-winning producer RedOne, (a.k.a Nadir Khayat) who has worked with international superstars such as Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Akon and Enrique Iglesias, is producer of the track, while Malek  Akkad (son of Moustafa Al Akkad the Director of ‘The Message’), directed the music video and documentary film.

Commented Quincy Jones, “My soul sings with pride that the people of the Middle East and North Africa have embraced the ideals of peace, hope and unity expressed in ‘Bokra’, and I want to thank each and every one of the beautiful brothers and sisters who selflessly brought their big ole hearts to the studio in the spirit of those ideals and making a better tomorrow for all of the young people of the region.  I know in the deepest part of my heart that together we can make a positive difference in the lives of the next generation, and the broad embrace of the ‘Bokra’ album is a wonderful reaffirmation of that belief.”

Craig Pereira, Director of Marketing, Sony Music Entertainment Middle East said “Music lovers, Radio and TV channels have shown unprecedented support for ‘Bokra’ sending it to the top of the music charts across the region. What is even more exiting is that it’s all for a great cause sending a message of hope at this very special time of the year.”

The Bokra Album is available at Virgin Megastores and all good music stores across the region. The single is available as a caller ringtone across telecom companies around the Middle East and on itunes around the world. All sales from the single and album will go to the official charities for the project including the United Nations World Food Program and to raise money to finance education programs in Music, Arts & Humanities for children across the Middle East and North Africa.

For more information on this album release, please contact:

Mae Ghandour, Sony Music Entertainment: mae.ghandour@sonymusic.com

About Sony Music Entertainment – Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars.  The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

Global Gumbo Group- Quincy Jones, the multi-Grammy winning producer and multi-media entrepreneur, and Badr Jafar, the United Arab Emirates social entrepreneur, entered into a joint venture, The Global Gumbo Group, earlier this year to develop multi-media opportunities across all entertainment platforms including music, film, television, publishing and digital applications in the Middle East and North Africa. The company will be focusing on producing live entertainment opportunities in the Middle East.

Check out the newly released Tomorrow/ Bokra Music Video:

The song was Executive Produced and Produced by Quincy Jones in collaboration with Emirati social entrepreneur Badr Jafar, working with RedOne (co-producer of the song with Quincy) and Malek Akkad (co-producer and director of the music video). The song involves 24 leading Arab Artists from 16 nations across the Middle East and North Africa singing with one voice for a better tomorrow.

For more information visit the website at: www.tomorrowbokra.org or visit the facebook site at: www.facebook.com/G3tomorrowbokra. Thanks and enjoy!

Watch this ‎30-minute documentary on Quincy Jones on BBC Arabic, shot at Q’s concert in Peralada, Spain featuring some great rehearsal footage (http://tinyurl.com/5re7zlj) and some great footage of the G3 presents Tomorrow-Bokra project (http://tinyurl.com/5rkl95o) and lastly shows a quick summary of the show (http://tinyurl.com/4yzbbgz) that features Emily Bear, Esperanza Spalding, Alfredo Rodriguez, Lionel Loueke, Andrea Motis, Antonio Carmona, and even Q playing the Cajon!

The Quincy Signature Line was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal as one of their top pick’s in the headphone market. Read the article in the Wall Street Journal online now:

Check out Quincy’s recent interview for Ability Magazine as he discusses his work with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GDSF) among many other topics:

“When Jones met John Sie, founder of Starz Entertainment Group, the two became fast friends. Today they work together in advancing a number of pet projects, including the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, the founding of which was inspired by Sie’s granddaughter, Sophia, who has Down syndrome.

In 2009, GDSF created the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award in recognition of the musician’s prodigious philanthropy. As the producer behind two We Are the World recordings, he played an integral role in raising financial support for famine relief in Africa in 1985, and aid to those affected by the Haitian earthquake in 2010. ABILITY’s Chet Cooper caught up with Jones in Los Angeles.”

Now available at the Clinton Museum Store: Quincy Jones Foundation Silver Cuffs for Peace. Get your own silver cuff today and do your part to help a child in need!

“For those who believe we are more similar than different, what a truly beautiful way to express your commitment to peace and compassion. Created by the Quincy Jones Foundation, this extraordinary bracelet features the symbols of Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu, Islam and Judaism, is handcrafted in Bali of .925 sterling silver. Mr. Jones, a music legend and long time friends of President Clinton, is donating a portion of the proceeds from his masterpiece to both the children of Bali and children of Hurricane Katrina. It comes in a zippered case with the logos of the Quincy Jones Foundation and Earth 4 Peace. Imagine the precious gift this will make – and the difference it will make in children’s lives.” –Clinton Museum Store

Check out this mention of the Quincy Jones Signature Line Headphones during a radio break presented on CBS Radio by Ryder! 

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Check out the great reviews here and here from Quincy’s most recent show at the Hollywood Bowl! Thanks to everyone who came out and enjoyed the show!

“I was traveling when news of the passing of Amy Winehouse broke, so now that I’ve returned I wanted to share how deeply saddened I was when I learned of the death of this beautifully talented girl.  There are not many young singers today whose knowledge of the great female jazz singers could match Amy’s.  When we first met at the Concert for Mandela’s 90th Birthday a few years ago,  it was actually her father who asked me if I would mind spending a few minutes with his daughter. When I met her, she took my hand in hers and began telling me how much she loved albums that I had done in the 50’s, back when I was her age! I was shocked.  I remember seeing the joy in her eyes as she asked me about working with Dinah and Ella and Sarah Vaughn, and the joy that I felt seeing how much she revered those great women.  I realized at that moment that as a vocalist, that was how she saw herself.

Amy’s talents as an artist were undisputable and I was astounded not only by her voice but by her tremendous knowledge of and respect for music and its history.  I was thrilled that she and Mark recorded “It’s My Party” for the Soul Bossa Nostra album and I absolutely loved what they did to make the song their own.  Of course we had no way of knowing that it would be the last released music from her before she left us, but I am enormously proud that it was.  Like all of her fans, I will miss her terribly.  But I will find joy in remembering the special time we spent together.” – Quincy Jones, 8/23/11

Catch this excerpt from Quincy’s Interview with the Black Heritage Network!

If you live in the UK, Switzerland or Spain, check out the following upcoming shows!

LONDON

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 – 8:00pm

Quincy Jones Presents: the Alfredo Rodriguez Trio Live in London

MONTREUX

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Montreux Jazz Festival
Stravinsky Hall
Quincy Jones and a night of Global Gumbo featuring Esperanza Spalding, Nikki Yanofsky, Alfredo Rodriguez, Emily Bear, M Plex, Diana Karazon and more.

Also featuring Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Marcus Miller and a tribute to Miles Davis.

Show currently sold out, but stay tuned to HERE for if and when more tickets become available.

PERALADA

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Festival de Peralada, Spain

Quincy Jones featuring Esperanza Spalding, Alfredo Rodriguez, Emily Bear, Antonio Carmona, Andrea Motis, Ali Amr, Omar Bashir, Lionel Loueke, and many more!

For more info and to buy tickets, visit: http://www.festivalperalada.com/eng/2011/programm/720jones.htm

(Version française ci-dessous)

Quincy Jones Presents: The Alfredo Rodriguez Trio

Featuring: Alfredo Rodriguez on piano, Henry Cole on drums, and Reinier Elizarde on bass.

One night only: THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2011 / 9:00 P.M. / Sunside Jazz Club / € 25.00

Quincy Jones and Global Gumbo Group are excited to announce Tomorrow-Bokra – a charity single to raise money for children in the Middle East and North Africa. We’ve got some of the biggest stars in Arabic music on board for the single which is out soon, so ‘like us’ to stay up-to-date with all the news, behind-the-scenes stories and chat about all things music.

Please visit our website at:

www.tomorrowbokra.org

Also follow us on Facebook and Twitter at:

http://www.facebook.com/G3tomorrowbokra

www.twitter.com/tomorrowbokra

MOSCOW-( Business Wire )-

HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated (NYSE: HAR), today announced that the AKG Quincy Jones Signature Line Series Q 701 premium headphones received Russia’s National Award as Product of the Year in the audio-video category.

The National Awards have been held in Russia since 2004, and identifies the most innovative products and solutionsin the Russian marketplace for the following categories: photos, audio, video, mobile and computer technology.

“It is an enormous honor for HARMAN’s AKG Q 701 headphones to be named Product of the Year by such a prestigious organization and panel,” said Dinesh Paliwal, HARMAN Chairman, President, and CEO. “This award is a reminder of what has always pushed HARMAN as a company forward: the ongoing passion and vision to consistently introduce world-class, premium, game-changing products and solutions here in Russia, and around the world.”

In total, the category of audio-video equipment received 14 nominations and the deciding jury included editors of leading consumer electronics publications throughout Russia, including Digital Photo, DVD Expert, IT Expert, PC Magazine, Publish, Stuff, Total DVD, AudioMagazin, PC World and more. In addition to having leading journalists on the judging panel, the jury also included independent experts in the audio, video, photo, computer, mobile and portable equipment market throughout Russia.

he official award ceremony was held April 14 at the Moscow International Exhibition Center, during the 2011Consumer Electronics & Photo Expo.

The Quincy Jones Signature Line premium headphone collection represents a milestone partnership between AKG and Quincy Jones, one of the most accomplished musicians of the 20th century. The Quincy Jones Signature Line includes three models: the Q 701 reference-class premium over-ears, the Q 460 high-performance portable on-ear mini headphones, and the Q 350 in-ear headphones that boast distinctive AKG-built quality and unrivaled audio engineering in an elegant, portable design. AKG’s award winning heritage includes recognition by the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences with a technical GRAMMY® Award in 2010. To learn more: www.akg.com/quincy.

To learn more about the award, visit http://www.cep-expo.ru/en/Product_of_the_Year/

There is a special Hollywood Bowl Presale for the fans starting Tuesday, May 3 at 10am. Get tickets before the general public!! Go to season calendar and use the password: 2011BOWL

Go to the Hollywood Bowl Season Calendar and get your tickets now!

White House Announces 2010 National Medal of Arts Recipients

Presidential initiative is managed by the National Endowment for the Arts

Washington, D.C. — Tomorrow, President Barack Obama will present the National Medal of Arts to eight recipients for their outstanding achievements and support of the arts. (Ten medalists were announced; however two are not able to attend the ceremony. Their medals will be presented at another time.) The medals will be presented by the president in the East Room ceremony at the White House. Mrs. Michelle Obama will also be in attendance. The National Medal of Arts is a White House initiative managed by the National Endowment for the Arts. Each year, the NEA organizes and oversees the National Medal of Arts nomination process and notifies the artists of their selection to receive a medal, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence.

“The National Medal of Arts recipients represent the many vibrant and diverse art forms thriving in America,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “From criticism to literature, music, poetry, sculpture, and theater, these honorees’ devotion to shaping and sharing American art is unrivaled, and I join the President and the country in saluting them.”

Quincy Jones

“The National Medal of Arts recipients represent the many vibrant and diverse art forms thriving in America,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “Quincy Jones’s extraordinary contributions to American music as a musician, composer, record producer, and arranger are unparalleled and I join the President and the country in saluting him.”

The National Medal of Arts, established by Congress in 1984, is awarded by the President and managed by the National Endowment for the Arts. Award recipients are selected based on their contributions to the creation, growth, and support of the arts in the United States. Each year, the Arts Endowment seeks nominations from individuals and organizations across the country. The National Council on the Arts, the Arts Endowment’s presidentially-appointed and Senate-confirmed advisory body, reviews the nominations and provides recommendations to the President, who selects the recipients.

Check out this short video about the Quincy Jones Signature Headphones from AKG!

Check out the following video of the Quincy Jones Global Gumbo All Stars!!

Check out these great articles featured in the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times that look back on the storied career of Quincy Jones as he looks forward to 2011. Enjoy and have a Happy New Year!

Resident Advisor – the famous dance music blog interviews Quincy Jones about his influence on Dance Music and his new AKG Headphones. The free podcast explores Q’s opinion on today’s record industry, music monetization, nanotechnology, culture, Sinatra on the moon, etc. Click the link to download the interview here!

By- Dan Aquilante

Q: Soul Bossa Nostra

4 STARS

“Everybody in urban music wanted to be part of this tribute to the music of Quincy Jones. Usher, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, T-pain and LL Cool J are just a few of the many working Jones’ hits, such as “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” and “Give Me the Night.” There isn’t a clunker on this record, but the best and most interesting are Amy Winehouse’s messy but appealing take on “It’s My Party” and Snoop Dogg’s loping rap superimposed on a “Superfly”-era version of “Get the Funk Out of My Face.” This record is the perfect complement to the 1995 Jones tribute “Q’s Jook Joint.”–

Read more great reviews of the album Here!

Click HERE or on the image above to view the full interview!

“I’d appreciate it if people didn’t take my comments about Kanye West ( @KanyeWest ) or anyone else for that matter out of context to contrive a story. I have nothing but respect for my little brother Kanye and what he has achieved in his young career and I look forward to watching his evolution as an artist. There is a reason why we put him on the new We Are The World 25 for Haiti – he’s a great rapper. But having been in the music business for more than 60 years and having been fortunate to accomplish what I have over that time, it’s not unreasonable to put a comparison of Kanye at this time in his career and myself into the proper perspective. This is not dissing Kanye, this is simply trying to express that I’m not a rapper! I don’t need to take anyone else’s props away from them. Let’s all just try and keep the record straight.” – Quincy D. Jones – 11/22/2010

Check out the music video for the new single “Soul Bossa Nostra” featuring Ludacris, Naturally 7, and Rudy Currence below!

Watch Quincy’s appearance on The Colbert Report as he talks about everything from his insight on the keys to successful record production to his early days with Frank Sinatra and Count Basie and much more. Check it out now!–

Part of the Quincy Jones Legacy Series, Q: On Producing is a must have! It has been featured on such shows as David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, The Colbert Report, Charlie Rose among many others. See what all of the buzz is about and get your copy today!