To Quincy Jones, For Showing The Way ...

Harvard Gives Its First Annual Mentor Of The Year Award To A Man Who’S Worked With Everyone From Ray Charles To South Central Gang Members.

By Nicki Gostin | Newsweek Web Exclusive

Jan 26, 2007

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On Jan. 25, Harvard University gave its first Mentor of the Year award to musician Quincy Jones, the multi-Grammy-winning producer, arranger and songwriter, who has worked with everyone from Count Basie and Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles and Michael Jackson. Dr. Jay Winsten, associate dean of the Harvard School of Public Health, which is honoring the artist, called Jones’s life “a testament to the power of mentoring” and noted that “through his spirit, insight, inspiration and caring, Quincy has touched and transformed many lives—ranging from celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith to former gang members in South Central Los Angeles.” Recently Jones spoke with NEWSWEEK’S Nicki Gostin.

Gostin: How are you?

Quincy Jones: OK, honey, just tired of running, just got back from Africa with Oprah. It was a long trip but it was beautiful.

Don’t you have to be careful with all that travel? Didn’t you have a brain aneurism?

I got metal clips on it, it’s fine. I got titanium knees. I’m almost a robot.

So tell me about this Harvard award.