Quincy Jones - 12 Notes: On Life and Creativity

Co-Author: Alyssa Lein Smith

Editor: Rebecca Kaplan

Editorial Consultant: Ben Fong-Torres

Designer: Diane Shaw

Design Manager: Jenice Kim

Managing Editor: Annalea Manalili

Production Manager: Sarah Masterson Hally

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021932496

ISBN: 978-1-4197-5256-8

eISBN: 978-1-64700-208-4

Text copyright 2022 Quincy Jones Productions, Inc.

Cover drawings from Quincy Joness personal notebooks

Cover 2022 Abrams

Published in 2022 by Abrams Image, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

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DEDICATED TO MY SEVEN BELOVED AND CHERISHED RUGRATS: JOLIE, RACHEL, TINA, QDIII, KIDADA, RASHIDA & KENYA

NOTES

NOTE
A Recycle Your Pain into Purpose

NOTE
A# If You Can See It You Can Be It

NOTE
B You Gotta Go to Know

NOTE
C Establish Your Guideposts

NOTE
C# Always Be Prepared for a Great Opportunity

NOTE
D Sharpen Your Left Brain

NOTE
D# Avoid Paralysis from Analysis

NOTE
E The Power of Being Underestimated

NOTE
F Do Whats Never Been Done Before

NOTE
F# Understand the Value of Relationships

NOTE
G Share What You Know

NOTE
G# Recognize the Value of Life

Im just going to start off by saying that there are no words to accurately describe the man who is Quincy Jones: The man who changed not only the course of my life, but the course of history. Im not here to tell you about the awards, accolades, and accomplishments that Quincy has received or achieved, because (1) wed be here all day; and (2) we already know he is that dude. No qualifiers necessary. However, I will share how the work that he does when the cameras are off has often been the most impactful.

Allow me to explain. I had of course been a huge fan of Qs since I was a kid, and the music he made with Michael Jackson inspired me to pursue music even more. Q was my idol in every sense of the word and I tried to soak up any clues to greatness he may have left behind. I felt as though I knew him, because I practically did know everything about him and his work, but we hadnt yet met in person.

Fast forward to 2015, when Victor Drai surprised me by bringing Q to my show at Drais Nightclub in Las Vegas. I nearly lost my mind after I heard that my idol was sitting on the side of the stage, about to watch me perform. As soon as I finished my last song, I couldnt make it over to him fast enough. I was so laser-focused on meeting him (the reason why I even do music in the first place) that I barely even noticed there were fans on the other side of the stage, screaming my name, trying to grab my attention.

The first thing Q told me as I approached him was, Go to your fans. Take pictures and sign autographs with them. Ill still be here waiting for you afterward. Theyre more important.

Out of all the lessons I learned from watching his public interviews or listening to his productions for hours on end, that one piece of instruction proved to be more meaningful. At that moment, he was teaching me something that I will never forget. Nothing is more valuable than the people around me, and giving back is always better than receiving.

I did as I was told, and after I finished meeting with the fans, Q (the legend of all legends) was still there, waiting. His humility was beyond me. In this business, its common to think youre the biggest VIP on earth, after earning a hit record and a bit of fame. But to see the man who has achieved more than anyone else carry himself without a single ounce of selfishness was the best example of walking the talk.

Fast forward once more to September 2021, when I received the inaugural Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award at the Music in Action Awards hosted by the Black Music Action Coalition. To say this was an honor is an understatement, but when my words fail me, I let my music speak, so maybe one day youll get to hear about it.

I received a lot of props on the heels of this achievement, but as Q taught me through his words and actions, giving back isnt something to be praised. It is something to be done, regardless of recognition.

The small, private moments are often what matter most, and if anything, this book is about that exact dynamic. It means a lot to me because although I have a public persona, I tend to be a very private person. Im still the same Ethiopian kid from Toronto who grew up without a father. And Q is still the same kid from Chicago who grew up without a mother. We may have different, personal reasons for creating, but I know well never forget where we came from, and why giving back is always more important than receiving.

As Q so beautifully says in the final chapter of this book: My hope and prayer is that our individual, creative voices may serve to share a glimpse of connectivity with those who need it most. And I can only hope that is what my art has done and will continue to do.

Weve all made mistakesmyself includedbut thats why I love Q. He isnt afraid to confront them head on and use them as fuel to become a better person. This book is no exception. If anything, its about to become the rule.

On June 14, 2015, I tweeted, Quincy Jones came last night to watch me perform and Im still trying to process it.

On September 23, 2021, I accepted the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Awardthe best award Ive ever gotten in my life.

And today, I write the foreword to 12 Notes: On Life and Creativity. Its an honor I will never take for granted, so Q, thank you. Thank you for everything youve taught me publicly, and everything youve taught me through your words and actions.

To everyone else reading this: Even if youve already read his autobiography or know everything there is to know about him, I hope youll take time to listen to the advice he has to share with you in the pages of this book. Because I promise it is what matters the most.

Abel The Weeknd Tesfaye

Im often asked what my formula for success is, or what my road map is to becoming (at the time of this writing) the all-time most Grammynominated artist, but to be honest, there is no formula or road map, and if anyone tells you there is, theyre full of it. But, I like to think that this book is the closest I will get to sharing my personal formula. Im not here to tell you how to live, or what to do for a living, but I want to share the lessons Ive learned, the advice Ive received, and the conclusions Ive come to about life and creativity that have allowed me to live an enriched life, full of highs and lows. A life of purpose.