Quincy Jones Remembers Nelson Mandela at New Assouline Book Launch

Quincy Jones paid homage to both culture and pop culture last week as he celebrated a collaboration with Assouline and also paid homage to his late friend Nelson Mandela.

The music icon discussed his relationship, saying “Today, as it did while he inhabited our planet, Nelson Mandela’s spirit truly soars with angels. It was a spirit born of generosity, love, compassion and hope for mankind that may never exist at such a heightened level in any single human being again.”

Despite the sadness of Mandela’s passing, the evening was lighthearted as the attending stars celebrated their contributions to the book, which features the widespread role Coca-Cola has played in pop-culture, including the mediums of film, music and sports.

Jones wrote the introduction to the book, while others guests at the Siren Studios-held fete such as Joe Jonas, Molly Ringwald, Sarah Hyland, Olympic gold medalist Dan Jansen and Marisa Tomei are featured within its pages.

The book set, titled Coca-Cola: Film, Music and Sports, features 130 shots that capture the distinct presence of the brand in some of the greatest films, musical moments and sporting events in history. Actress Marilyn Monroe sipping a Coke on the set of a photo Shoot for the 1953 film Gentleman Prefer Blondes, Funk and soul artist James Brown enjoying an ice cold Coca-Cola with other musicians andlegendary basketball player Michael Jordan appearing in a 1991 Coke advertisement are among the many stand out images featured in the Memoire collection.

Jones, along with Ridley Scott and LeBron James, wrote forwards for the book, which retails for $75.

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