The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), in collaboration with Berklee Abu Dhabi, hosted a powerful and heartfelt edition of the Riwaq Al Fikr – ADMAF Talks series, paying tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of Quincy Jones, a global icon of music, cultural unity, and humanitarianism.

Held at Berklee Abu Dhabi, the event brought together renowned voices from the world of music and culture to celebrate Jones’ unparalleled contributions. With a staggering 2,900-plus credits across music, film, and television, and a trophy cabinet that includes 28 Grammy Awards, along with an Emmy, a Tony, and an Oscar,  Quincy Jones’ influence remains unmatched in the industry.

The collaboration between Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson is one of the most legendary partnerships in music history. Together, they worked on some of Jackson’s most iconic albums, Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad, which not only shaped the sound of a generation but also redefined pop music itself. Their creative synergy played a key role in cementing Jackson’s status as the “King of Pop”, and their influence continues to resonate across the music industry today.

The panel featured a lineup of distinguished guests, including:

• Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and a longtime friend and collaborator of Quincy Jones
• Ron Savage, Vice President and Executive Director, Berklee College of Music
• Sean K. Skeete, Dean, Professional Performance Division, Berklee
• Mayssa Karaa, Artistic Director, Berklee Abu Dhabi and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter
• Terri Lyne Carrington, multiple Grammy-winning artist and Artistic Director, Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice

Badr Jafar reflected on Jones’ profound ability to unite people through music:
“Quincy didn’t just make music, he built bridges. His work always carried a deeper message: that music fused with purpose can uplift and unite communities. That same spirit lives on in the Abu Dhabi Festival.”

Jafar also spoke about their powerful collaboration on the charity single “Bokra (Tomorrow),” which brought together 17 top Arab artists and has garnered over 40 million views on YouTube.

Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF, described the event as a deeply personal moment for the Abu Dhabi Festival: “Today we honoured not just a music icon, but a symbol of humanity. Quincy believed in the power of music to heal, unite, and inspire, and that belief continues to guide our work in the arts across the UAE.”

Jim Lucchese, President of Berklee, added:
“Quincy Jones, a Berklee alumnus, truly embodied the belief that music transcends borders. We were honoured to partner with ADMAF in hosting this meaningful conversation.”

Part of the Abu Dhabi Festival, the Riwaq Al Fikr – ADMAF Talks series offers students and audiences in the UAE a unique platform to engage with leading global cultural voices through open dialogue, live talks, and inspiration from the world’s most influential creators.

(Source: Wam)