Quincy Jones was one of a kind. These albums represent just a handful of his amazing work through the years.

In June, 2006 I shared a review of the Quincy Jones autobiography, Q written by Jazzscript.co.uk. Check it out on our Powerhouse Radio website.

Quincy Jones

Musical genius Quincy Jones (1933 - 2024) was born in Chicago. He studied music at Seattle University and at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Jones wore many successful hats as a musical director, film scorer, composer, musician, producer, conductor, arranger, and record company executive. He played and toured with Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Jones scored over 50 films. His first film score was "The Pawnbroker," in 1963. He won numerous Grammy Awards for his many years of creative work.

Jones produced albums for the very best, including Michael Jackson. Besides winning Grammy Awards, Quincy Jones produced the actual network presentation on television of this music awards program.

Bio courtesy of BlackHistoryPeople.com.

Community Reentry Book Discussion

Besides reading a lot of music books, memoirs, and biographies, within the last two years I became very interested in books about community reentry and justice.

These manuscripts reveal shocking stories about the USA justice system.

With so much gun violence across America, especially in big cities, I felt the need to look for solutions in the right places and offer some help.

One of the specific things I do is donate financially to a Philadelphia organization that works with young African American men between 18 - 34 to open up their world to other options and possibilities beyond gun violence.

The group has recently expanded their reach to younger teens. After all, when so many fifteen year-olds are packing firearms, the youngest in our society need the outreach too.

I also joined a community reentry book discussion group. Our circle tackled the books below in 2024 reading and discussing various perspectives.

My top picks are Yuseff Salaam's Better, Not Bitter and Monique Couvson's Pushout. The Second Chance Club by Jason Hardy is also very good. Jason was a New Orleans, Louisiana probation and parole officer.

Hardy's stories reveal an up close and personal connection with New Orleans men and women who have been under the thumb of "The Big Easy" justice system.

All of these books are really worth your read. Try one or all of them in the new year.

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