Berklee College of Music remembers Quincy Jones

According to its website, Berklee has worked with the Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium since 2008 to improve music education in underserved areas.

Krystal Prime Banfield, vice president of education and social entrepreneurship at Berklee, recalled meeting Jones when he founded the consortium.

“But he felt like family to me because I immediately understood what he wanted to do and wanting to make sure kids everywhere had these opportunities,” Banfield said.

The consortium works with Berklee City Music, which promotes arts education in the city. As a volunteer city music ambassador, Jones visited the city once or twice a year to offer advice to students. During the pandemic, he even sent in a video to continue showing his support during a fundraiser.

Jones wants to ensure the consortium's goals of creating opportunities are met, Banfield said.

“He organized the gathering of all kinds of people to create a movement to provide music education to all students,” she said.

Jones was proud of Berklee's reputation in international music circles. “Quincy was always proud of his alma mater and he was proud to carry on the legacy,” Banfield said.

Banfield described Jones as “very sincere and honest.” Jones' passion and commitment quickly led to him becoming an honorary ambassador for Berklee City Music.

“He attended meetings and had our young people come to his performances when he was honored at various events,” Banfield said.

Jones always offered all kinds of wisdom, advice, mentoring and coaching whenever he had the opportunity. “It was very close to his heart and we are always grateful to him because he really took it to heart,” Banfield said.

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Rachel Umansky-Castro can be reached at [email protected].