The Groove
Saturday February 28th, 2015 with ELORIOUS CAIN
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION: QUINCY JONES

This is the second of a three part series featuring African-American Jazz Musicians that have contributed greatly to the advancement of the Disco medium and music. Quincy Jones & His Band enjoyed tremendous success in 1962 with the jazz bossa nova instrumental "SOUL BOSSA NOVA" that was played in discos throughout Europe and South America. It is still an instantly recognizable slice of international pop culture that is programmed in dance academies and schools everywhere. Quincy Jones' influence on disco surely didn't stop there! With years of recording motion picture and television themes and soundtracks along with his own patient and generous Contemporary Jazz and Jazz Funk, Quincy Jones was further celebrated as a production perfectionist. His collaborations with the likes of Ashford & Simpson, Patti Austin, Minnie Riperton, Barry White, Donna Summer, Frank Sinatra and James Ingram are legendary. Classic examples include the motion picture soundtrack of "The Wiz" and his generous production of Donna Summer's emmancipation of the remarkable Jon & Vangelis song "STATE OF INDEPENDENCE"! Quincy Jones may possibly be most remembered and studied for his monumental work with the late Michael Jackson. The one subject of awe is his production of Jackson's THRILLER lp which would become one of the most popular records ever recorded. Quincy Jones managed to complement Michael Jackson's genius with a product that became one of the most influential and powerful Disco records of all time. The effects of the THRILLER lp are still being felt in various parts of the planet after profoundly influencing Zouk and Bollywood artists just to identify two genres among hundreds!