Call for registrations: Free access to Quincy Jones’ Qwest TV

The call follows the world renowned producer’s announcement that the channel will be open to school pupils and music college and university students around the world.

The initiative – which is in response to protests against police brutality and racism following the killing of George Floyd – seeks to raise awareness about the origins of jazz, soul, funk, and world music.

All interested schools will be given free access to the Qwest TV educational platform, which includes more than 1 000 concerts, documentaries and archival footage that showcases jazz, soul, funk, R&B and hip hop artists as well as musicians from around the world.

The channel features legends such as Manu Dibango, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Sonny Rollins, BB King, Thelonious Monk, Wynton Marsalis, Ella Fitzgerald, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Aretha Franklin and James Brown. Other artists that have been included Robert Glasper, Anderson .Paak, Avishai Cohen, Ambrose Akinmusire, Dhafer Youssef, Hiatus Kaiyote, Snarky Puppy and Kamasi Washington.

“Often times, people don’t know who they are because they have no frame of reference," Jones, who has won 28 Grammys, said. "Well, everything is based upon what has happened before us, and if you know where you come from, it’s easier to get where you want to go.

“We want each kid and student to be able to freely explore their musical history by rediscovering their roots, both through jazz and beyond. We’ve got to believe that we are multicultural miracles, and we at Qwest TV want all of you to embrace and celebrate that.”

Interested pupils can pre-register now. However, the content will only be accessible in the new academic year, which begins in the US in September.

In April, Qwest TV began offering users 30-day free trials. The Qwest TV app is available for download the App Store and Google Play.

Interested students and institutions can register for access to Qwest TV here.