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Quincy Jones won't replace 'American Idol's' Simon Cowell: 'I simply don't have the time'
Quincy Jones is busy today (Monday, Feb. 1) producing the 25th anniversary of "We Are the World" at the Nokia Theater in downtown LA.
But despite all the Grammy activities this weekend, he found time to chat exclusively with The Dish Rag about "American Idol" judge buzz, the importance of music and his new album.
About We are the World: "It will be all new, it's going to be fabulous ... and different, it's three times as many performers. I don't like to do anything that I've already done, so I'm doing this with a new perspective."
Replacing Simon Cowell: "No, I'm not game. I simply don't have the time. I've got too much going on. I'm working on my foundation (the Quincy Jones Foundation), working on nine movies and doing records with Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder."
About music: "When I was 19 I got the best advice I ever got about how vital music is to our collective spirit. The great jazz saxophonist Ben Webster told me that 'Three things are the soul of every country.' Every country I go to I eat the food the people eat, learn 30, 40 words of their language and listen to their music. Language, food and music are the soul of each and every country."
On music education: "I started a music consortium with the best minds in America. Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, so many more are a part it. Americans know nothing about their music. I'm trying my best to go something about that. After we get our curriculum set, we're going to Washington to pressure them to do something about this."
Quincy was just named Brand Ambassador for Audemars Piguet Millenary Quincy Jones timepiece, $17,300 limited edition (only 500) watch. At the launch party at SLS hotel, he played his new album "Soul Bossa Nostra," featuring Quincy's famous songs remade by Mary J. Blige, Usher, Akon, Ludacris and Jennifer Hudson, which delighted Quincy's pal, Audemars Piguet CEO Francois-Henry Bennahmias.
-- Reporting by Leah Sydney
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Photo credits: Tony Bennett and Quincy Jones backstage at the Grammys. WireImage
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Too Bad-would be great if he were on that show. He's totally right about educating our young about music. Rock on Quincy!
Thanks for insightful piece. I'd love him to be in Simon's place. He's a buddha like guy. Watch cool...come on guys-make one us working folks can wear!!
The watch sounds groovy-fun piece!
Love that Quincy!!!!
He could have had better artists than Ludacris, Usher and Akon on his album. 'J Blige and Jennifer Hudson are okay. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Ask Quincy when is he coming out with the kings of policy movie!