ABC/Fred WatkinsTonight ABC will air Taking the Stage: African American Music and Stories that Changed America, an all-star celebration of the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Ahead of the special that features performances from Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx and Usher, legendary music producer Quincy Jones says tonight’s program will cover some of the greatest music contributions that African Americans have made throughout the years.
“It goes straight through the ages,” Jones tells ABC Radio. “Stuff from the ’30s, ’40s, ’50s, ’60s; be-bop, doo-wop, hip-hop, big bands; everything. It covers the history.”
Executive producer of Taking the Stage, Don Mischer, concurs and adds that the contribution African Americans have made to pop culture is “unparalleled.”
“You know, from jazz to rock and roll to hip-hop, and we’re trying to hit on all of those,” Mischer explains. “What’s working really well in this show is that the music is connected to something that’s anchored in the museum.”
The program, which will air on ABC stations nationwide from 9 to 11 p.m. ET, will feature music, dance and spoken word during its two hours. Its star-studded roster of celebrities include President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Dave Chappelle, Jada Pinkett-Smith and her husband Will Smith, Chris Tucker and Rashida Jones.
Jones believes tonight’s special is important to black culture and it comes as a perfect time.
“In many ways the timing is just right on,” he says. “We’ve never had such a racial confrontation ever in the country as it has been now. Because it has always been covered up in the North, in the South you know where you stand.”
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