UNCF honors Quincy Jones during 'An Evening of Stars'

The stars shone brightly in Tinsel Town as the celebrities and entertainers paid tribute to legendary musical composer, conductor, arranger and producer Quincy Jones during the recent taping of the United Negro College Fund's (UNCF) "An Evening of Stars" special at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

"We're bringing the most exciting entertainers together to thank Quincy for his lifetime achievements and commitment to helping others," said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO. "An Evening of Stars' plays a vital role in UNCF's mission because it illustrates the importance of minority education and creating opportunities for low-income, hardworking young men and women who deserve a chance to achieve their full potential."

The annual televised fundraiser, which will air Jan. 8 and Jan. 9 on more than 65 stations across the country, features performances by Yolanda Adams, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Kirk Franklin, Denyce Graves, Herbie Hancock, James Ingram, Chaka Khan, Brian McKnight, Musiq, Tamia, Nancy Wilson, Bebe Winans and Stevie Wonder.

Entertainment mogul Oprah Winfrey introduced Jones and presented him with the award for a lifetime of excellence. Jones is the all-time most nominated Grammy artist with 77 nominations and 26 wins, and has won an Emmy, seven Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the Grammy Living Legend Award.

He produced the 1985 song We Are The World, which became the best-selling single of all time, and Michael Jackson's Thriller, the best-selling album in recording industry history. Jones has 33 major motion picture scores and numerous television scores to his credit. He co-produced the film The Color Purple with Steven Spielberg; his production company, Quincy Jones Entertainment, produced the TV series "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," "In The House" and "Mad TV."

Appearances also were made by stars such as Angela Bassett, Debbie Allen, Derek Fisher, Freda Payne, John Singleton, Louis Gossett Jr., Magic Johnson, Merri Dee, Mo'Nique, Robert Townsend, Salma Hayek, Savion Glover and Tavis Smiley.

And Lou Rawls, who founded the program, returned for his 26th year.

Founded in 1944, the UNCF is the nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization.