Quincy Jones to Be Honored With the Prestigious ASCAP Founders Award at the 25th Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards on June 29th in Los Angeles

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Jun 6, 2012) - The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will honor songwriter, composer, producer, arranger and entertainment industry legend Quincy Jones with the ASCAP Founders Award during its 25th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. The invitation-only event will take place on Friday, June 29th, 2012, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

The ASCAP Founders Award is among the most prestigious honors that ASCAP gives to songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Each recipient is a musical innovator who possesses a unique style of creative genius that will enrich generations to come. Past recipients include Sean "Diddy" Combs, Rod Stewart, Dr. Dre, Patti Smith, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Smokey Robinson, Paul McCartney, Ashford & Simpson, and Berry Gordy Jr. & Motown Industries.

Named by TIME Magazine as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20^th century, Quincy Jones's career in the entertainment industry has spanned an impressive six decades, during which time he's played the role of composer, record producer, artist, film producer, arranger, conductor, instrumentalist, TV producer, record company executive, magazine founder, multi-media entrepreneur and humanitarian. Jones has earned a record 79 Grammy nominations and won a total of 27, and the celebrated Grammy Living Legend Award in 1991. One of the most prolific record producers ever, Jones has worked with countless music legends, including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis and Céline Dion, among many others. Perhaps most notable, however, is his work in producing both the historic "We Are the World" charity single and pop icon Michael Jackson's Thriller. "We Are the World," which Jones also conducted, went on to become the fastest and best-selling American pop song of all time, with sales in excess of 20 million copies. Similarly, Thriller has sold an estimated 110 million copies worldwide since its release in 1982, making it the single best-selling album of all time. As a record company executive, Jones remains highly active in the recording field as the guiding force behind his own Qwest Records.

"Quincy Jones's contributions to the history of American music are immeasurable. With over 50 years experience working with the biggest names in music and in nearly every genre, he is easily one of the most influential figures in music history," said ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. "He has had -- and continues to have -- a significant and long-lasting effect on the music community. As a pioneering composer and someone who has shaped the sound of American music, he is a clear and obvious choice for The ASCAP Founders Award."

The 25^th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards will celebrate the songwriters and publishers of the most performed ASCAP songs on the 2011 R&B/Hip-Hop, Rap and Gospel charts. Top awards will be given to the Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song, Top Rap Song and Top Gospel Song, among others. The evening will also feature performances by several award-winning songwriters and performers.

Members of the press may apply for credentials at http://www.ascap.com/press/pressroom/rhythmsoulawards

About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 435,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com