2006 DaimlerChrysler Behind the Lens Award Honors Quincy Jones for Film and Television Contributions

2006 DaimlerChrysler Behind the Lens Award Honors Quincy Jones for Film and Television Contributions

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ --
- From 1964 to 1972, Jones composed more than 35 scores -- opening doors
for many people of color

- Jones composed the themes to 13 network television shows from 1966 to
1986 including Ironside, Sanford and Son and The Bill Cosby Show

- Hollywood and music industry celebrate the producer of The Color Purple
and Roots -- the most watched mini-series in the history of television

- Jones receives $25,000 donation from the DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Fund for the Harvard University School of Public Health to support
Jones' initiative for the world's children

Quincy Jones -- television and film producer and composer extraordinaire - - was presented with the 2006 DaimlerChrysler Behind the Lens Award in Beverly Hills on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Jones and 400 star-studded guests attended the awards dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel to honor the man who launched the film careers of Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg with The Color Purple, produced the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and the longest-running miniseries in the history of television -- Roots and composed the theme songs for Kill Bill, In the Heat of the Night, Ironside, Sanford and Son and many others.

In addition to the award, DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund donated $25,000 to the Harvard University School of Public Health, a charity chosen by Jones to aid children's health issues around the globe.

Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, the event paid tribute to Jones with a look back at his work with the help of long-time collaborators Will Smith, Norman Jewison, Norman Lear, Bud Yorkin, Ben Vereen, Debbie Allen, Greg Phillinganes and Yolanda Adams. The evening featured special musical performances by Chaka Khan, Phillinganes and Adams. Phillinganes performed a compilation of Jones' work; Khan delivered her rendition of one of his most notable film compositions, In The Heat of the Night; and Adams performed her single, Someone to Watch Over You. Director John Singleton, the 2005 Behind The Lens honoree, paid special tribute to pioneer, mentor and past Behind the Lens Award recipient, the late Gordon Parks.

"I have been fortunate enough to spend my lifetime doing many of the things that I love, most notably making music, a universal form of expression that unites us all," said Jones. "I have been able to collaborate with many highly talented people whose spirit and art help to transcend all and lift my spirit. With great gratitude, I accept this award and thank DaimlerChrysler not only for supporting my work but also for continuing its efforts to acknowledge the achievements of those working behind the scenes."

Attendees of the event included Patti Austin, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Garcelle Beauvais, LeVar Burton, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Natalie Cole, Loretta Devine, Roberta Flack, Hill Harper, Laylah Hathaway, Cathy Hughes, James Ingram, AJ Johnson, Benny Medina, Niece Nash, Elise Neal, Mario Van Peebles, Victoria Rowell, Shawn Robinson, Robert Townsend, Melinda Williams, Gary Dourdan and many others whom have collaborated with or were inspired by Jones' many incarnations as a pioneer behind the scenes in film and television.

"Quincy Jones is a man who has distinguished himself as a Godfather of contemporary pop culture," said Frank Fountain, DaimlerChrysler Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Public Policy (Auburn Hills) and President of the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund. "For more than four decades, generations of people were raised on films and television shows that Jones brilliantly produced and composed. DaimlerChrysler is honored to present this Renaissance Man and dedicated humanitarian, who has touched so many, with the 2006 Behind The Lens Award."

In conjunction with his successful and celebrated music career, Jones began his film career as co-producer of The Color Purple, nominated for 11 Academy Awards in 1985. He has also served as executive producer on a number of television projects such as the NBC-TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, UPN's In The House and Fox Television's Mad TV. Additionally, he has composed 33 major motion picture scores, including In the Heat of the Night, In Cold Blood and For The Love of Ivy.

Jones is currently collaborating with Jay-Z, Norah Jones, Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock and Latin star Juanes, as well as Oprah Winfrey, Muhammad Ali, Chris Tucker, Savion Glover and the casts of Stomp and Cirque du Soleil on We Are the Future, a massive charity concert benefiting Jones' Listen Up Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for young victims of violence. The event comes just over 20 years after Jones produced the seminal benefit anthem We Are the World, the best-selling single of all time.

The "Behind the Lens" Award was established in 2002 by DaimlerChrysler to recognize and celebrate the achievements of individuals who work behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Jones joins legendary directors Gordon Parks (Shaft) and Melvin Van Peebles (Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song), John Singleton (Boyz 'n the Hood) and Hollywood Producer and casting veteran Reuben Cannon in being recognized with this prestigious award. Award recipients are chosen by a selection committee comprised of entertainment industry professionals and DaimlerChrysler representatives.

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Source: Chrysler Group

CONTACT: Angela Ford of Chrysler Group, +1-248-512-2986, or
als32@dcx.com

Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
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