On a night meant to honor cinematic legend John Williams, it was a quiet folk melody that stole every heart — until the maestro himself changed everything.

As James Taylor gently strummed “Sweet Baby James,” seated beside the ever-graceful Yo-Yo Ma, who added soulful swells to each verse, the moment already felt timeless. Then, as if summoned by the music itself, John Williams slowly stepped onto the stage.

In a gesture that caught even the orchestra off guard, he reached out, took Taylor’s hand, and pulled him into an embrace — like two old friends reuniting after decades apart.

The audience, already emotional, now openly wept — moved by the sight of three musical titans sharing one sacred moment. It wasn’t just a tribute; it was a living symphony of friendship, legacy, and love.

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LENOX — Not everyone has James Taylor leading 18,000 people singing “Happy Birthday” to them, but not everyone is John Williams.

The Oscar winning composer’s 90th birthday was celebrated with an overview of his amazing career and performances by Taylor, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, saxophonist Branford Marsalis and violinist Itzhak Perlman on Saturday night at Tanglewood.

Prior the “Happy Birthday” sing-along, Taylor performed “Getting to Know You” from “The King and I.”

Taylor explained he first sang the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic during a Boston Symphony Orchestra performance led by Williams decades ago.

 

He followed it with is own, “Sweet Baby James,” which drew cheers for its invocation of Boston, the Massachusetts Turnpike and the Berkshires.

Roads to Tanglewood were jammed and the venue sold out as throngs flocked to Lenox to be part of Williams’ 90th birthday celebration. It was one of the most popular Tanglewood performances of the summer 2022 season — a testament to the affection music lovers have for the famed composer

In addition to his 25 Grammy Awards and 52 Academy Award nominations, Williams served as the Boston Pops conductor from 1980 through 1993. He is now the Boston Pops’ laureate conductor.

The evening included Williams-composed music from such films “Star Wars,” “Schindler’s List, “Catch Me If You Can” and “Superman.”

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