A Living Legend Visits RWCMD
“You can lie all you want, but music
is all about getting the girls, right guys?!” - Quincy Jones
It’s 3rd
July 2009. There’s a buzz in the College, a feeling of
anticipation as we await the arrival of the legendary composer,
arranger, performer, record producer, writer and TV and film
producer, Quincy Jones.
It is impossible to pick a highlight of
Quincy’s illustrious career, but he is perhaps best known for his
work with the likes of Dizzie Gillespie, Count Basie, Duke
Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis and other jazz greats, and
for his production of the trilogy of Michael Jackson albums Off
The Wall, Thriller and Bad, which together
have sold around 112 million copies.
He has won countless awards and is the most
nominated Grammy artist ever with 79 nominations and 27 awards
including the Grammy Living Legend Award in 1991.He is renowned for
his humanitarian work across the world and in 2008 he was awarded
the BET Humanitarian Award.
On a humid July afternoon, Quincy Jones
visited RWCMD to give a Q&A session with students and staff.
His mesmerising voice filled the room and there was a deep hush as
he spoke about his childhood, his many achievements, his personal
relationships with some of the greats that he has worked with, and
his future plans. He was entertained by some of the College’s jazz
students and the session was led by Head of Jazz, Paula
Gardiner.
So you want to know what it takes to
be a great musician? Here are a few gems of wisdom from Quincy
Jones, a living legend:
“Music can never be more or less than you
are as a human being. You have to get your soul together
first.”
“Get involved in everything! There are
only 12 notes! (Until they invent another one…) It’s all the same –
learn everything.”
“The only way to learn is to make
mistakes. The more you make, the more blessed you are. It’s very
important.”
He certainly left his mark on the
staff and students at the College. Here are some
reactions:
“Quincy Jones is an icon. He’s helped to
make music what it is today. It was a total surprise to get up and
play! I enjoyed it – what can I say? It’s Quincy Jones! He said you
need to keep the music pure, not to do it with money in mind. So
one of the many things that I’ll take away from this session
is to make sure that the music always comes from my heart,”
Jared Robinson, Jazz Student.
“It was very exciting and inspirational to
perform in front of Quincy, knowing who he’s worked with. His
advice to be open to all music really hit home with me.” Chris
Gilligan, Jazz student.
“It was amazing to meet Quincy Jones. It
was terrific to see the range of people here today; there were
musicians, actors, design students, the chef, the guys from the
estates department... He is a real unifier and amazing to listen
to,” Hilary Boulding.
“I can’t tell you how thrilled I felt when
Quincy said that he thought we were doing something right here. In
fact I had a lump in my throat! To get that sort of comment from
someone of his standing is just incredible. I have really enjoyed
this experience. I’ve been nervous for about three weeks but Quincy
turned out to be such a lovely person. He is obviously such a
generous spirit to work with, you couldn’t wish for any more,”
Paula Gardiner, Head of Jazz Studies.
Quincy enjoyed the following performances during the
Q&A:
1. What is this
thing called love? By Cole Porter
- Ollie Howell (BMus, 2011), drums
- Aidan Thorne (BMus, 2012), double bass
- Joe Webb (BMus 2012), piano
- Sam Palmer (BMus 2010), trumpet
“Louis Armstrong always used to say ‘Play
it don’t say it’. You just took me back to my youth. We used to
play the exact same song so it’s great to hear it now in 2009. I
wish I could bottle you and send you around the United States so
you can show them what it’s all about!” Quincy Jones
2. Sleep and the
Message by Chris Hyson
- Chris Gilligan (BMus, 2012), piano
- Chris Hyson (BMus, 2011), double bass
- Gethin Jones (BMus, 2009), drums
“Keep on doing what you’re doing. You guys
are good man, really good! It’s astounding. I can head that you’re
committed. I’m really impressed. I don’t say that lightly.
When I had my brain operation they took all the BS out! So
I’m really am impressed. I like Wales, Wales is Ghetto!”
Quincy Jones
3.
Improvisation
- Paula Gardiner, Double bass
- Ollie Howell (BMus, 2011), drums
- Jared Robinson (PgDip Music, 2009),
piano
“Fantastic! I told you Wales was ghetto!”
Quincy Jones
***
On the following day RWCMD bestowed upon
Quincy an honorary fellowship to standing ovation at the graduation
ceremony. Amongst other Fellows honoured were Harry Christophers,
Menna Richards, David Seligman, Ed Thomas and Maxim Vengerov (and a
Doctor Who Cyberman also made a surprise entrance to
congratulate Ed Thomas, Doctor Who’s production
designer).
He charmed us with his humour, enthralled us
with his knowledge and encouraged us with his love for all things
musical. For days after Quincy’s visit there was a quiet in the
College, a collective feeling that we have witnessed a true
great.
“You are guys are
first class man. No BS. You got it together. There’s something
going on in the water. I’d like to give my congratulations to all
the students here and to the tutors - because you’re doing it
right,” Quincy Jones.
Watch the BBC interview with
Quincy Jones