For Quincy Jones

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I had the honor of meeting the remarkable Dr. Jones at the New England Conservatory in 2010. I spoke at the NEC's graduation ceremony, where Quincy was receiving an honorary degree. Of course I mentioned in my remarks that he had studied with Nadia Boulanger. My parents came up for the occasion, and at one point Quincy struck up a conversation with my mother, asking about her background. When my mother told him she was of Greek descent, Quincy began conversing with her in Greek. I have no idea how he knew Greek. My mother was as completely disarmed as I ever saw her.