A diverse group of artists are to join headliner Quincy Jones in next month's Bermuda Music Festival.

John Legend, Patti Austin, Erykah Badu, James Ingram, Wyclef Jean, Michael McDonald, Kenny Rogers and Naturally Seven will complete the line-up of performers.

Singer Ne-Yo, who it was previously announced would be part of the event, will not perform. He was released from his contract so he could act in an upcoming film.

'Quincy Jones and Friends' will be staged over three days from October 29 to October 31 at the Keep Yard in Dockyard.

On the final night, Halloween, there will be a special performance of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' — 25 years after the best-selling album of all-time was first produced by Quincy Jones.

Premier Ewart Brown will honour Quincy Jones' lifetime contributions to culture and humanity with the African Diaspora Heritage Trail Award during the weekend's festivities.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Dr. Brown said: "I understand there's been some concern over who's going to be at the music festival. I have the distinct pleasure of introducing the talent."

In a press release, Mr. Jones said: "It is my distinct honour to receive the African Diaspora Award from Premier Brown and the people of Bermuda and to join with them to celebrate the beauty and wonder of Bermuda during the 14th Annual Bermuda Music Festival."

He added: "The line-up of artists that we have assembled for this year's festival are some of the most talented performers of their generation and, like me, understand and respect the diverse musical and spiritual influences that are reflected in Bermuda's rich cultural history. I promise that this year's festival will be one that you definitely will not want to miss. . . it's going to be hot."

Dr. Brown selected Mr. Jones as recipient of the African Diaspora Heritage Trail Award because of his musical and philanthropic contributions including the star-studded collaboration 'We Are the World'. The best-selling single of all time, it was produced and arranged by Mr. Jones, raised $63 million for Ethiopian Famine Relief and highlighted persons suffering in the Ethiopian drought.

In an interview last night, Wyclef Jean praised the other performers, and said that the Keep Yard might not be able to hold all of his fans.

"Once I put this up, you're going to have 5,000 people on a plane to Bermuda," he said. "I've got people who follow me wherever I go."

The first night will see Erykah Badu, Wyclef Jean, Naturally Seven and Bermudian acts perform.

On Friday night, Patti Austin, James Ingram, Michael McDonald take centre stage with headliner Quincy Jones and his orchestra.

John Legend, Kenny Rogers and Naturally Seven conclude the festival, performing on the same stage as Quincy Jones and his orchestra.

l Tickets are available at www.bdatix.com. www.bermudamusicfestival.com, iStore and Fabulous Fashions. Silver seats for Thursday night are $85 and gold are $110.

A three-day silver pass is $260 and gold is $385. Tickets are Friday and Saturday night are $110 for silver and $160 for gold.

For more information visit www.bmf09.com.

Profiles of the newly announced artists coming to Island

Patti Austin: A beloved singer and member of Quincy's extended family, Patti has worked with Quincy since she was four years old. Proud to be Patti's godfather, 'Q' produced her number one hit 'Baby, Come to Me' a duet with James Ingram. She later teamed up with James once again for chart-topper 'How Do You Keep the Music Playing'. Patti's other work with the Quincy 'family' includes collaboration with both Quincy and Michael Jackson on 'Off The Wall' and 'The Wiz'.

Erykah Badu: Acclaimed, multiple Grammy winner who is known as the 'First Lady of Neo-Soul'. Her work blends many musical genres something which Quincy will do in Bermuda and includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz, weaving unusual musical influences together to create a rich texture of sound. In many aspects she remains the quintessential Hip-Hop B-Girl, although she no longer rhymes.

James Ingram: Versatile soul musician and acclaimed vocalist, James and Quincy have collaborated in many ways, including their stunning 'cold open' of the 1984 Grammy Award telecast, performing 'Just Once'. He co-wrote 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)', recorded by Michael Jackson on his blockbuster 'Thriller'. James and Quincy's other hits include 'Secret Garden' (written and produced by Quincy), which hit number one on the Billboard AC chart and 'One Hundred Ways' for which James won the Grammy for Best R&B Vocal.

Wyclef Jean: A multi-platinum Haitian-American musician, actor, producer and social entrepreneur. He recently performed at the 2009 Montreux Jazz Festival, where he was introduced by Quincy Jones, and dedicated his set to Quincy. The two musicians share a deep commitment to philanthropy and Wyclef is a Haitian Goodwill Ambassador. Through the foundation he created, Yele Haiti, Wyclef supports projects that are making a difference in education, health, environment and community development. Wyclef has just finished recording for the upcoming Quincy Jones Tribute Album, out shortly on Interscope Records.

John Legend: Six-time Grammy award winner, recording artist, musician and actor, Quincy just penned John's entry in the 2009 TIME 100 Most Influential People issue (http://tinyurl.com/ckckjk), where he stated that Legend has 'a dedicated work ethic born of (his) desire and God-given talents to be the best at (his) craft that (he) could be'. They recently recorded the ballad 'Tomorrow', which will be featured on Quincy's forthcoming tribute album.

Michael McDonald: Michael is known around the world as a founding member of both the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan. A gold and platinum-selling American R&B/soul singer and songwriter, he teamed up with James Ingram on the album 'It's Your Night', produced by Quincy Jones. His duet with Ingram, 'Yah Mo Be There' won the Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo.

Kenny Rogers: One of the first four artists to appear in 'We Are the World', the best-selling single of all time, produced by Quincy Jones. With an instantly identifiable raspy voice, Kenny's songs 'Lady', 'The Gambler', 'She Believes in Me', 'Islands in the Stream', are beloved around the world. Though theoretically a country singer, Kenny has delivered chart-topping memorable songs for more than five decades to fans among rock, pop, soul and country audiences.

Naturally Seven: An innovative R&B music group with a distinct a cappella style that they call 'Vocal Play'. Quincy is currently working on contemporary remakes of the songs 'Relax Max' and 'Soul Bossa Nova' with Naturally Seven. This past summer, they stunned audiences new to their work with their special tribute to Michael Jackson at the Quincy Jones 75th Birthday Celebration during the Montreux Jazz Festival.