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11/19/2008 04:39 PM

Quincy Jones Presents "Q Prize" At Time Warner Center

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Quincy Jones and Audemars Piguet presented the "Q Prize" at The Time Warner Center this week.

The prize is awarded for extraordinary service to children.

"'Q Prize' is about someone that we feel has gone and given everything that they have in their hearts," said Jones. "Gustavo Dudamel and his mentor, Dr. Abreu from Venezuela, they save hundreds of thousands of kids from gangs and so forth, and I come from that same background. I wanted to be a gangster until I was 11, and I found music."

Dr. Jose Abreu was honored for establishing a program in Venezuela that brings classical music to underprivileged children.

"I did this to demonstrate the potential of music as an instrument to develop society," said Abreu.

Maestro Gustavo Dudamel is a product of the program. He is referred to as the new Leonard Bernstein.

"We are very proud and it is a huge honor," said Dudamel. "We're very happy!"

Actors Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell turned out to support their friend, Quincy.

"Well, we've known him for a long time and he's one of the great music-makers of all time," said Russell.

"His work is an extension of his soul," added Hawn. "As much as he loves to make music and give music, he wants to give it back, and the fact that he's giving back to these kids right now is the greatest thing he could do."

Grammy Award-winner Michael McDonald and musician Wyclef Jean both performed.