Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer, was a pivotal figure in the Montreux Jazz Festival's evolution, according to the event's chief executive, Mathieu Jaton. Jones, who passed away at the age of 91, co-produced the Swiss festival from 1991 to 1993 and continued to return to Lake Geneva annually until 2019 to perform and engage with the music community.
"He came every year, spending time with us, listening to music, advising us. He was like a big godfather to the Montreux Jazz Festival," Jaton said. "It's a very big page which has turned. What he did for the festival will last forever."
Jones's influence was instrumental in blending various musical styles and artists at Montreux, transforming it into a hub for both established stars and emerging talents. The festival expanded significantly beyond its jazz roots, drawing criticism in the 1990s for incorporating hip-hop and Latin music.
Jaton noted that Jones and the festival's founder, Claude Nobs, shared the same vision for the event. "He was deep into the music and always bringing a lot of different people on stage to play together," Jaton said. "He was mixing all kinds of music -- if the music was good."
One of Jones's notable achievements at Montreux was persuading jazz legend Miles Davis to revisit his past works, just two months before Davis's death in 1991. The resulting album, 'Miles and Quincy: Live at Montreux,' won a Grammy Award.
Jaton described Jones as a charismatic figure who was approachable and passionate about music. "He was not behaving like a superstar. He was accessible. He was sitting in the crowd and talking to everyone. And so passionate about music," Jaton said.
While the festival contemplates how to honor Jones, Jaton prefers that tributes come from the artists themselves, as they are more authentic. "I will just remember that image of Quincy vibrating on stage, listening to young musicians and making a little sign to me saying, 'who's that guy playing bass? Wow, he sounds really good!'" Jaton recalled. "That was Quincy: listening to jam sessions and just feeling, 'this guy is great, I want to talk to him' -- and then spending an hour talking to a young guy who's 20 years old."
Jones's impact on young artists at Montreux was profound, often changing their lives with a simple conversation. "That's what I have in my heart today: that man," Jaton concluded.
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