Modern popular music of all types has been shaped by an influx of different cultures, styles and icons. Last Monday, Seattle's Experience Music Project honored one of Seattle's greatest musical talents of all time...a person who has arguably influenced more people and styles of music in the music industry than anybody alive today. If there were to be a grandfather of modern popular music, it would have to be Quincy Jones.

With a career that has spanned five decades, Quincy Delight Jones Jr. has been the recipient of 26 Grammy’s, received first Professorship from Harvard in African-American Music, produced the most popular album in history (Thriller) as well as the most popular single in history (We Are the World), and now heads several multi-million dollar entertainment ventures. To write a review about the man would be impossible for a website unless it was an online novel, so I'm focusing on one night in which the musical community of Seattle honored its greatest musical hero.

The performance started with a performance by 'The Meeting', featuring world-class performers Ndugu Chancler, Patrice Rushen, Ernie Watts and Neil Stubenhaus. These four heavyweights in the jazz world set the stage with an incredible performance that covered several styles of music including funk, hip-hop and fusion.

World-class fusion bassist, Stanley Clarke, was the second bill. Best known for his dazzling speed and dexterity on bass, Stanley Clarke was the first bassist to headline sold-out performances worldwide. The band he had on Monday was a non-traditional combo consisting of a drummer, two bassists (including himself) and two keyboardists. This added a dimension that allowed Clarke to step out front as a lead instrument without sounding too bottom-heavy, even during a dueling bass duet. He also did an amazing performance of one of his new songs on acoustic contra-bass.

Finally, Quincy Jones himself led the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, performing some of his most famous jazz songs like Quintessence and Moanin', with a special guest appearance by another Seattle jazz legend, Ernestine Anderson. Due to the amount of guests, special speakers and the thank-you speech that Quincy gave, the event ran later than normal and only allowed for a 45 minutes closing set that left the audience sending Q out with a standing ovation.

The show was one of those events that was history in the making. On a personal level, I couldn't imagine what the music of today would be like without the influence of Quincy Jones. Thank you Quincy for all of the years you have enriched my life, and the lives of everyone who has been touched by your music.

To find out more about Quincy Jones, CLICK HERE

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