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A14 PEOPLE / ARTS
Thursday 28 sepTember 2023
Quincy Jones is State Department’s first Peace Through Music

Award as part of new diplomacy push

By MARIA SHERMAN Mason said in an interview.
AP Music Writer He called music the ideal
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Quin- tool for diplomacy.
cy Jones, who once em- “I just believe music has a
barked on an international special and unique way of
diplomatic tour with jazz bringing people’s aware-
great Dizzy Gillespie, will re- ness to the forefront. And
ceive the U.S. Department it’s almost darn near mag-
of State’s inaugural Peace ic. It’s like, we call it ‘the
Through Music Award. miracle of music.’ It has the
A ceremony honoring the ability to have people who
28-time Grammy winning may or may not even like
producer, musician and ar- each other, stand next to
ranger will be held Wednes- each other, and nod their
day night and as part of the head, clap their hands and
launch of the State Depart- sing,” he said.
ment’s new Global Music “Or it has people who
Diplomacy Initiative. might come from different
The award recognizes countries or have different
American musicians, pro- beliefs, different religions
ducers, professionals and all total polar opposite
beyond who have “played Music producer Quincy Jones poses for a portrait to promote his documentary “Quincy” during views of the way the world
an invaluable role in cross- the Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 7, 2018, in Toronto. works but they love their
cultural exchanges and Associated Press favorite artists, and they all
whose music work advanc- pher Jackson, LADAMA, Ai- Jones went on to become the American Music Men- love it just the same as the
es peace and mutual un- mee Mann, Rakim, Armani one of the biggest influ- torship Program to bring other man or woman.”
derstanding globally,” ac- White, and DJ 2-Tone will ences on music, produc- artists to the U.S. for career The State Department has
cording to a press release. perform. ing the top-selling album development opportuni- long instituted music-based
Jones will receive the In 1956, Jones served as the of all time, Michael Jack- ties (the first kicks off in Fall diplomacy initiatives, from
award from Secretary of music director and trum- son’s “Thriller” and “We Are 2024); music-focused ef- President Roosevelt found-
State Antony Blinken and peter for Gillespie and his the World”, and receiving forts to promote an Eng- ing the Office of Inter-
Recording Academy CEO band on the first U.S. State Oscar nominations for the lish-language learning cur- American Affairs (OIAA) in
Harvey Mason jr. at a cer- Department jazz tour of score and original song riculum abroad and the 1940 to Bruce Springsteen
emony boasting an eclec- Southern Europe, the Mid- from “The Color Purple.” Fulbright-Kennedy Center performing for 300,000 fans
tic lineup of American and dle East, and South Asia. The Global Music Diploma- Visiting Scholar Award in in East Berlin in 1988, the
international talent across The tour was part of a Cold cy Initiative launch includes Arts and Science. year before the wall fell,
generations and genres. War program to spotlight three key announcements: “You’re going to see a long- to the 2010s “Next Level,”
Dave Grohl, Mickey Guy- American music and cul- a partnership between the standing partnership be- an effort to build a global
ton, Herbie Hancock, Ja- ture and counteract similar State Department and the tween the Academy and community through hip-
mie Barton, GAYLE, Christo- efforts by the Soviet Union. Recording Academy for the State Department,” hop.q

Gary Sinise to receive honorary AARP

Purpose Prize Award

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. families and those in need. ence through their “knowl-
AP Entertainment Writer Some of his charitable edge and life experience.”
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gary efforts include building Each of their organizations
Sinise will receive an honor- adapted homes for severe- will receive $50,000.
ary AARP Award for his work ly wounded veterans and The recipients include:
through his foundation that first responders, uplifting 1. Ken Falke of Bluemont,
supports military members military members and fami- Virginia, whose Boulder
and first responders. lies through entertainment, Crest Foundation focuses
The organization an- mental wellness programs on the mental health and
nounced Tuesday that Si- and financial support in well-being of combat vet-
nise will receive the hon- crucial moments. erans and first responders. Gary Sinise attends the LA premiere of “I Still Believe,” at ArcLight
orary AARP Purpose Prize Sinise co-starred in “Apollo 2. Peter Jensen of Little Hollywood, Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Los Angeles.
awards during a ceremony 13” and “Forrest Gump,” Rock, Arkansas, whose The Associated Press
on Oct. 25. The Emmy and playing a seriously wound- REACH Institute works to
Tony award winner will be ed Vietnam War veteran, ensure vulnerable children their communities. one.
recognized for his work and led the cast of “NCIS: have access to best prac- 4. Don Schoendorfer of Ir- 5. Laura Stachel of Berke-
through his Gary Sinise NY” for nine season. tices in mental health care vine, California, whose Free ley, California, whose We
Foundation. Five individuals will be services. Wheelchair Mission has Care Solar promotes safe
Sinise’s foundation which awarded the AARP Pur- 3. Janice Malone of Mobile, shipped nearly 1.4 million motherhood and reduces
launched in 2011 honors pose Prize, which honors Alabama, whose Vivian’s wheelchairs to people in maternal mortality in front-
military members, veter- people ages 50 and older Door helps Black businesses 94 countries who would not line medical facilities.q
ans, first responders, their who are making a differ- grow, scale, and reinvest in otherwise be able to afford