SXSW Announces Music Keynote Speaker: Quincy Jones

On March 19, Quincy Jones will deliver the music keynote at SXSW 2009. Jones, who has spent over five decades in the music business, is a legendary impresario, conductor, record producer, musical arranger, film composer and trumpeter. Though he's best known for producing Michael Jackson's Thriller, he's also won 27 Grammys, was the first African American nominated for an Academy award in 1968, and conductor of "We Are the World." Jones is expected to discuss music's power to build bridges and and create positive change in the world. With his history of philanthropy and dedication to using music as a catalyst for awareness, there's no doubt he'll be shedding plenty of light on the subject.

The South By Southwest Music & Media Conference takes place March 18 - 22, 2009 at
the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. Quincy Jones' keynote anchors four days of panels, interviews, workshops, peer meetings and the trade show exhibition covering a wide variety of topics, addressing the concerns and interests of musicians, executives and music lovers. Daytime events flow into the world-renowned music festival, which showcases over 1700 acts on stages throughout downtown Austin.