Francois-Henry Bennahmias, Audemars Piguet North America’s president, and music impresario Quincy Jones (pictured), recently hosted an invitation-only evening celebrating the Q Prize and honoring Jones.

The Q Prize, named for Jones, “celebrates extraordinary advocacy on behalf of children.” This year’s honorees were Dr. José Antonio Abreu and Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, who lead Venezuela’s El Sistema program that uses classical music to promote the health and well-being of children.

The gala was underwritten by Audemars Piguet, the Swiss luxury brand, and raised $100,000 in a live auction of an Audemars Piguet Millenary Pianoforte timepiece, as well as autographed Quincy Jones memorabilia.

More than 200 film, music and athletic stars, and leaders in health and music attended the gala, which featured musical performances. tributes to Jones, and raised funds for his namesake foundation, which works with the Harvard School of Public Health’s Center for Health Communication on national media campaigns to prevent youth violence.

In addition, plans were announced for a national summit of music industry and nonprofit leaders n New York City on Apr. 29, 2009, to promote music education as a public health intervention for at-risk youth.

JCK