About 9 months after the PEACE By Music Diplomacy Act grew to become legislation, the Recording Academy and the State Division have launched a program known as the “World Music Diplomacy Initiative” and offered Quincy Jones with the first-ever “Peace By Music Award.”
The Recording Academy reached out to Digital Music Information with phrase of the brand new music-diplomacy program and award, each of which had been unveiled throughout a State Division occasion yesterday night. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., YouTube world head of music Lyor Cohen, and JFK Middle for the Performing Arts chairman David Rubenstein had been available for the occasion, as had been, in fact, numerous authorities officers and musicians.
“We’ve had a number of dignitaries come by means of this constructing,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned throughout the taking place, “however it’s a particular deal with to have so many members of music royalty right here tonight. Dave Grohl. Herbie Hancock. Rakeem. Denyce Graves. And my expensive buddy Aimee Mann.
“We’re additionally joined by so many different excellent artists who’re shaping the music trade right this moment. Gayle is in the home. Armani White is in the home. Jamie Barton is in the home. Myles Frost. And Mickey Guyton is in the home tonight too.”
In keeping with the State Division’s description, the World Music Diplomacy Initiative, in capitalizing upon public-private partnerships with non-profits and companies, will look “to raise music as a diplomatic software to advertise peace and democracy” on the world stage.
Elements of the initiative embody a State Division-Recording Academy tie-up, the American Music Mentorship Program, that can work to afford “worldwide mid-career music trade professionals, which can embody musical artists,” stateside “mentorship and networking alternatives.”
In the meantime, the Division is poised to “incorporate music into its present $40 million funding in English-language studying worldwide,” per the official launch offered to media.
“The State Division is formally incorporating music into the English-language lessons that we provide world wide. … We’re going to incorporate American songs and lyrics within the curriculum. We’ll share our various tradition. We’ll assist college students enhance their English fluency,” elaborated the secretary of state, who additionally carried out throughout the occasion.
Lastly, when it comes to the specifics of the World Music Diplomacy Initiative, the aforementioned Middle for the Performing Arts is anticipated to collaborate with the Fullbright Program on “a brand new fellowship alternative for overseas students.” An preliminary “award competitors” is scheduled to be introduced this autumn, with the Kennedy Middle getting ready to host the winner throughout the 2024-25 tutorial yr.
Shifting previous these particulars (in addition to numerous deliberate worldwide performances), Harvey Mason Jr. took the stage to present the primary Peace By Music Award to 90-year-old Quincy Jones.
“It’s my honor to announce the institution of the Peace By Music Award,” mentioned the Recording Academy head Mason Jr. “Often, we have a good time by means of our Grammy Awards. However this very particular award acknowledges and honors an American music trade skilled, artist, or group that has performed a useful position in cross-cultural exchanges and whose music and work advance peace and mutual understanding across the globe.
“Whereas there are a lot of deserving People of this award, one individual stood out as the proper inaugural recipient. This esteemed particular person served as music director and trumpeter for jazz ambassador Dizzy Gillespie throughout his abroad excursions within the Sixties,” Mason Jr. relayed earlier than diving into Jones’ newer profession accomplishments.
“His work, his actions proceed to advance peace by means of music, and I’m certain they’ll for generations to return. It’s my true honor to acknowledge my buddy and mentor, Mr. Quincy Jones, because the first-ever recipient of what’s going to now and into the long run be often known as the ‘Quincy Jones Peace By Music Award.’
“Whereas Quincy couldn’t be part of us tonight, it’s my honest honor to welcome his daughter, Rashida Jones, through video to just accept this award on his behalf,” communicated Mason Jr., continuing to play the prerecorded clip and, upon its conclusion, introduce David Rubenstein.