Qwest Records

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Qwest Records is the record label started by Quincy Jones in 1980 as a joint venture with Warner Bros. Records, although Quincy was still under contract with A&M records through 1981. George Benson's 1980 Give Me the Night LP was the first release on Qwest, although this release was shared with Warner Bros. Records, where George was under contract. One of the first artist signed to Qwest was goddaughter Patti Austin, producing Every Home Should Have One in 1981. Although it focused on the R&B market primarily, its most notable signings were Frank Sinatra (who Jones produced in the 1960s), Tevin Campbell, Radiance, and British new wave group New Order. The label also ventured into hip hop music during the 1990s. Qwest also discovered R&B artist Tamia who has now been in the business for over 12 years selling millions of albums in the US alone. The joint venture was shut down in 2000, with Warner Bros. acquiring the remainder. There are no talks at this moment to revive the label, although several Quincy Jones titles issued by Qwest have been licensed to Universal Music Group.

[edit] See also

• List of record labels