So I had the pleasure recently to interview Quincy Jones at Audemars Piguet's North American headquarters. The interview was done in Francois-Henry Bennahmias office which was a treat in its own right. All the photos and memorabilia were definitely a sight to see. Mr. Jones is certainly one of the most, if not the most accomplished individuals in the entertainment industry today. Aside from that, he was extremely gracious and humble. He made me feel like an old friend even though it was the first time I had ever met him and the third interview he had done that day. After spending time with Mr. Jones today, I can certainly understand why he is at the top of his profession. As staggering as all his accomplishments are, I was more impressed by the human being when I got done with this interview. I hope everyone enjoys it.



TR: Tell us a little about your foundation and how it came to be associated with Audemars Piguet:

QJ: It was our destiny on many different levels it was a natural fit. Audemars Piguet does everything at the very best and I wanted my foundation to be associated with this wonderful company. It is our goal to make sure young people have the resources today to reach their full potential. As a young boy growing up in Chicago in the 1930's it wasn't always so easy for me.

TR: How much input did you have in the design of your watch:





QJ: I had quite a bit of input. As the designers sketched the watch I would review the drawings and give my thoughts on each one of the designs. I love the finished product, the idea of the piano keys on the watch and the fact that the keys are totally in-sync with the roman numerals was really important to me. It blew my mind when I visited the factory in Genève, I had thought that all watches were made on a factory line. The fact that all of Audemars Piguet's watches are hand made to a certain extent was very impressive to me.

TR: Do you consider yourself a watch collector, if so how many Audemars Piguets do you own?

QJ: Yes I am. Aside from the Millenary I own two others. The Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad in rose gold is one of my favorites. Its very flashy and I like that.


TR: You've had an incredibly successful career as a trumpeter, music conductor, record producer, music arranger, film composer and TV Producer, how in the world did you get so good at all of those different disciplines:

QJ: You have to learn your core skill firmly. It teaches you the value of backing up the emotion of soul and science. I learned this very early on. Conviction is the only place to find success before you find work. Its 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration you have to learn the science especially as an arranger. I started off with three or four trumpets then with four trombones then the saxophone, then piano, drums, then finally the guitar. I tried to master all of them. I would listen to every band since I was 13 years old and I would listen to them until my ears would bleed. My music teacher in Paris would tell me that she couldn't treat me as classical student because Ray Charles has already corrupted me. When we were 13 Ray and I would play in three or four night clubs a night. I came up with Ray, he always used to say that Jazz musicians shack up with music first then court it and then marry it later and it's true. I really learned from a lot of different experiences over the years and tried to apply everything that I learned.

TR: You produced the best selling album of all time in Michael Jackson's Thriller. When you where producing it did you ever image that the album would end up selling 110 million copies:

QJ: No and anybody that says they did is lying!

TR: The number 2 and 3 selling albums combine dont even equal that one!

QJ: What you do is you make something that gives you goose bumps and that's what I do with all of my music. I want to get goose bumps myself, I know when I get goose bumps somebody else will get them too.

TR: Early on in your career you worked with two legendary musicians in Count Basie and Frank Sinatra. How did that experience prepare you for your collaboration with Michael Jackson later on in your career?

QJ: Its all the same stuff. If you can make it with Sinatra you can make it with anyone else. When I was studying in Paris one day I got a phone call from Grace Kelly in Monaco telling me that Frank Sinatra wanted me to come down to Monaco with my band by train to play with him. Now I had a 55 piece musical orchestra that I had to get down there but you better believe that I hurried on down to Monaco to work with him. That was my first experience working with Frank Sinatra. Then four years later I got another call from him, trust me I wish it would have been sooner but you don't just call Frank Sinatra and ask to work with him. On the call Frank says "Q", this was the first time I was ever called that by anyone and he says "I heard the version of Bart Howards another words and I liked the way you did it with base so thats the way I want to do it on my next album. Would you like to work with me?" and I said well, is the pope catholic! All my life I waited to work with Sinatra and the rest is kind of history. When you work with guys like Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles, man, you better know what youre doing. They know their stuff, they know it backwards.

TR: Aside from having a watch in your name, you've been nominated for a record 79 Grammys have won a record 27 of them including the Grammy legend award. What are your goals from here?

QJ: My awards are gifts from God you don't do this for awards you go to the studio to make some good music, I still have plenty to do. Im doing nine movies now, four albums, working with my foundation all over the world, and a book. Plus I've got ear phones.

TR: Having done everything there is to do in your profession what was your proudest achievement:

QJ: My seven children.

TR: I knew you were going to say that!

TR: Last question, do you have any advice to give someone who wants to try and follow in your footsteps:

QJ: Empty the cup every time and it will come back every time twice as full. Also have humility with your creativity and be graceful with your success.

TR: Thanks again for your time Mr. Jones. It was a pleasure meeting you.

QJ: Likewise.