Quincy Jones plans charity concert

LOS ANGELES, March 22 (UPI) -- "We Are the World" producer Quincy Jones is mounting another all-star musical project to aid the suffering and impoverished, USA Today reported Monday.

More than 19 years after producing the record "We Are the World," which raised millions of dollars for people in Africa, Jones is organizing "We Are the Future," a multi-act concert scheduled for May 16 and expected to draw more than 1 million fans to Rome, and millions more to their televisions, the newspaper said.

The mega-concert is aimed at aiding and empowering children from war-torn regions around the world, Jones said.

Expected to perform at the event are Norah Jones, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Josh Groban, Sting, Herbie Hancock, Juanes, The Stomp cast, Cirque du Soleil performers and dancer Savion Glover.

Jones is also in talks with Jakob Dylan, Ben Taylor and Stevie Wonder to perform, while Oprah Winfrey, Muhammad Ali and Chris Tucker have all agreed to make appearances at the charity event.

Organizers, who are negotiating with a U.S. network and Arabic broadcaster Al-Jazeera, plan a worldwide telecast combining entertainment and appeals to raise awareness and money for the youngest victims of hostilities, said USA Today.