With a career spanning more than seven decades, Quincy Jones has over 2,900 credits across film, television, and recorded music
The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), in collaboration with Berklee Abu Dhabi, hosted a moving edition of the Riwaq Al Fikr – ADMAF Talks series to honour the life and legacy of music icon Quincy Jones. The event, held at Berklee Abu Dhabi, celebrated Jones’ unparalleled impact on music, humanitarianism, and global cultural collaboration.
With a career spanning more than seven decades, Quincy Jones has over 2,900 credits across film, television, and recorded music. His accolades include 28 Grammy Awards, an Emmy, a Tony, and an Oscar — a testament to his extraordinary influence in the arts. His lifelong commitment to using music as a tool for unity and change made him a fitting focus for the discussion series.
The tribute featured a distinguished panel of musical and cultural leaders including Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and close friend of Jones; Ron Savage, Vice President of Berklee College of Music; Sean K. Skeete, Dean of the Professional Performance Division at Berklee; Mayssa Karaa, Artistic Director of Berklee Abu Dhabi and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter; and Terri Lyne Carrington, Grammy Award-winning artist and Artistic Director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.
His belief in music as a force for unity mirrors the UAE’s own commitment to cultural dialogue and creativity as engines of progress. Our work together, from ‘Bokra’ to countless shared moments, reflected his enduring message: that music fused with purpose can not only inspire but empower communities across the world.”
Jafar highlighted their collaboration on Bokra (“Tomorrow”), a charity single that brought together 17 leading Arab artists to raise funds for arts education. The project, which has garnered over 40 million views on YouTube, continues to spread a message of hope and unity across the region.
Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF, noted the special nature of the tribute. “The Riwaq Al Fikr – ADMAF Talks series has always been a space for reflection and dialogue. Today, we honoured not just a musical legend, but a humanitarian. Quincy once said, ‘Music has the power to heal wounds, bridge divides, and bring people together.’ This philosophy is at the heart of ADMAF and the Abu Dhabi Festival.”
Jim Lucchese, President of Berklee, underscored the significance of hosting the talk in Abu Dhabi. “Berklee, ADMAF, Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, and Badr Jafar all share a deep commitment to the power of music to unite across cultures. Quincy Jones, a Berklee alumnus, truly embodied that mission. It was a privilege to honour him in partnership with ADMAF.”
.Part of the annual Abu Dhabi Festival, the Riwaq Al Fikr – ADMAF Talks series offers students and the wider public unique access to global thought leaders and artists through live conversations and lectures, reinforcing the UAE’s growing role as a hub for cultural dialogue and artistic exchange.
