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Quincy Jones works on a theme for Games

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-05-24 16:01

BEIJING, May 24 -- Famed American impresario Quincy Jones has offered to write a theme tune for the 2008 Beijing Olympics having been seduced by China on his first visit.

Multi-Grammy Awards winner Quincy Jones answers a question during a news conference in Beijing May 24, 2006. Famed American impresario has offered to write a theme tune for the 2008 Beijing Olympics after being turned into an enthusiastic Sinophile by his first trip to China. [Reuters]

The 73-year-old musician, composer, conductor and producer had his offer welcomed by the organisers of the Games, although they said they would continue with their official Olympic song competition.

"The inspiration of the strong leadership in preparing the 2008 Olympic Games and the theme 'One world, One dream' has led me to offer everything I can possibly bring ... to this fantastic event," Jones told a news conference at Beijing's Olympic Tower on Wednesday.

"Everything in the 60 years of my career has led up to this event ... I would be very proud to write and orchestrate the theme to the 2008 Olympic Games.

"We hope our music will help to bring everybody's dreams together."

Jones said he would not be paid for his contribution, which was originally suggested by action movie star Jackie Chan.

"I really appreciate what Quincy Jones said about wanting to write the theme tune," said Jiang Xiaoyu, vice president of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG).

"I think his participation will really inspire people from around the world to ... contribute to the 2008 Olympic Games."

Jiang confirmed, though, that BOCOG's public search for Olympic songs would continue until early 2008.

"We have already had 500 songs and 5,000 lyrics submitted to the song competition," he said.

Jones has been nominated for 77 Grammy Awards in a career that has included work with Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald.

A multi-millionaire from his music work and successful forays into other areas of the media such as television and event production, Jones said he had found in China "four thousand years of awesome" culture.

"I really love this country, the food, the culture, the beautiful women -- some of the most beautiful women I've ever seen, whoah!" he enthused.

"I would like to be one of the people who send out the message to the world about what a country this is."