‘Quincy Jones’ Doesn’t Quite Measure Up

Neither Frank Sinatra nor Michael Jackson--the two biggest artists Quincy Jones has been associated with in his impressive career--are present in “Quincy Jones--The First 50 Years,” a two-hour tribute to the entertainment legend airing tonight on ABC. And even Ray Charles, who first teamed with Jones when the two were teens in Seattle, is seen only on tape. But Beau Bridges and Bernadette Peters, whose connections are much more tenuous, are there.

Apparently even five decades as a forefront musician, composer, producer, executive, film and TV mogul and publisher with 26 Grammy Awards, seven Oscar nominations and an Emmy to his name has not immunized “Q” against the kind of limp, back-slapping “honor” that has become the tribute show. Yes, Sinatra’s health prevented his participation and Michael Jackson is . . . well, Michael Jackson. But why even bother if it’s going to be less than worthy of the subject?

What we get is a handful of available A-listers (Stevie Wonder, who opens the show with “We Are the World”) supplemented by lesser lights of varying degrees of actual relation to the honoree. Tying it together are tritely written bits of history and praise, almost salvaged by the honest affection in the delivery of host Oprah Winfrey (Jones cast her in “The Color Purple”). Throughout, Jones, sitting in a front-row box with his family, applauds enthusiastically and/or gets misty-eyed.

Actually, Jackson’s absence opened the door for what proves to be the event’s peak, with Savion Glover (of “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk”) doing interpretive tap to a medley of hits from the Jones-produced landmark album “Thriller.” Glover is captivating with distinctively earthy, natural movement--the antithesis of Jackson’s own mannered precision. The other highlights: Nancy Wilson belting with style and grace and Lesley Gore (yes, Lesley Gore) still showing teen spirit on a medley of early-’60s favorites Jones produced for her, capped by “It’s My Party.”

But other concept pieces--such as a forced salute to Jones’ rhythm arranging featuring a slapped-together teaming of the dance-percussion ensemble Stomp and rappers Yo Yo and Melle Mel--fell flat. Jones, whose career got much meatier treatment in the 1990 documentary “Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones,” deserves better. So do we.

* “Quincy Jones--The First 50 Years” airs tonight at 8 on KABC-TV Channel 7.