Ravinia 2026 Issue 3

inspiring anthem “We Are the World,” co-written by Jackson and Lionel Ritchie, aimed at bringing global atten- tion to the devastating famine in Ethi- opia that killed more than one million people between 1983 and ’85. The momentous recording session at A&M Studios in Los Angeles was no less than a roster of future Hall of Famers, further including Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Smokey Robinson, Bette Midler, Cyndi Lauper, Waylon Jennings, Dionne Warwick, Huey Lewis, James Ingram, Kenny Log- gins, Daryl Hall, and Steve Perry. Given the high potential for artistic tensions, Jones posted a now-famous handwritten sign, cheekily demanding, “Check your ego at the door.” The Emmy-nominated 2024 Netflix documentary The Greatest Night in Pop chronicles this historic stunt, during which Jones was under clock-ticking pressure to get the once-in-a-lifetime grouping done within one night. As usual, Quincy delivered. And now it’s Jules Buckley’s turn, with new orchestral takes on Quincy Jones’s musical motherlode with a pro- gram curated from firsthand knowledge, respect, and friendship. Buckley worked extensively with Jones for more than 10 years, creating new arrangements for many of Quincy’s best-known compositions and conduct- ing with “Q” himself during a famed BBC Proms program in 2019. Jones described Buckley’s arrangements as retaining the “bounce, the bite, and the euphoria” of his original recordings, and Buckley described working with Quincy as “absolutely the highest honor.” The program is slated to include Buckley’s symphonic samples of Jones’s vast palette of jazz, pop, and music for screens, from the themes to TV’s Roots , Ironside , and Sanford and Son and his film project music, such as The Color Purple and The Pawnbroker , to Jones’s own rave “Soul Bossa Nova” and his well-known production work, like Sarah Vaughan’s “Misty,” Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me,” George Benson’s “Give Me the Night,” and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and “Human Nature.” In the Grammy-winning 2018 documentary Quincy —co-written and co-directed by Jones’s daughter, actress Rashida Jones—the epilogue sums up his acclaimed career and life accomplishments with simplicity: “Over 2,900 songs recorded; over 300 albums recorded; 51 film and television scores; over 1,000 original compositions; 79 Grammy nominations; 28 Grammy awards; EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner; Thriller , the best-selling album of all time; ‘We Are the World,’ the best-selling single of all time; $63 million raised for famine relief in Africa; and 7 children.” James Turano is a freelance writer and a former entertainment editor, feature writer, and columnist for national and local magazines and newspapers. He has written official programs for eight Elton John tours since 2003 and is also a Chicago radio personality and host on WGN 720AM. RAVINIAMAGAZINE • AUGUST 3 – AUGUST 16 , 2026 28 Ravinia Icon Ladies Boxy Tee - Orchid Roll-Top Cooler Backpack Hypnochic Bracelets Festival Shop Your Shopping Begins Here. FESTIVAL SHOP LOCATED INSIDE THE DINING PAVILION OR SHOP ONLINE AT SHOP.RAVINIA.ORG Each purchase supports Ravinia and our Reach Teach Play® programs.