Renowned music producer, Quincy Jones, the creative mastermind behind some of Michael Jackson’s greatest albums and a collaborator with legends like Frank Sinatra and Count Basie, has passed away at the age of 91.
His family and close friends were by his side at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, as he passed on Sunday.
The news was confirmed by his publicist, Arnold Robinson, who shared a statement from the family but did not provide a specific cause of death.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said, according to Robinson’s statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
A jazz musician, gifted composer, and cultural tastemaker, Quincy Jones had a transformative impact on the music industry, effortlessly blending genres and introducing new sounds over the course of a career spanning more than seven decades.
From big band jazz to pop and even hip-hop, he was instrumental in shaping the musical landscape of the 20th century. His legendary touch behind the studio console connected him with a galaxy of stars.
Jones’ family expressed their admiration for his enduring legacy, saying, “Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”
Quincy Delight Jones Jr. was born in 1933 on Chicago’s South Side, where he discovered his passion for music early on, tinkering on a piano at a local recreation center. There he formed a lifelong friendship with Ray Charles, another future music icon.
His musical journey led him to briefly study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston before he joined jazz great Lionel Hampton on the road.
Eventually, Jones moved to New York City, where he honed his skills as an arranger for prominent figures like Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington, and Count Basie, as well as for Ray Charles.
Jones’ vast musical talents soon took him to Hollywood, where he made history as a composer, scoring films and television programs. By 1967, he became the first Black composer to receive an Oscar nomination in the Original Song category for his work on the film Banning.
A world-traveler with a passion for expanding his artistic horizons, Jones spent a pivotal period in Paris in 1957, where he studied under Nadia Boulanger, a renowned French composer who also mentored some of the greatest musicians of the 20th century.
Among his many achievements, Jones made significant contributions to popular culture beyond music. He launched his own record label, created VIBE, a popular hip-hop magazine, and produced the hit television show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, launching Will Smith’s acting career.
His iconic composition, “Soul Bossa Nova,” became a beloved tune worldwide and displayed his knack for infusing music with infectious energy and rhythm.
Jones’ career reached new heights in the 1980s as he became synonymous with Michael Jackson’s meteoric rise, producing albums like Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad, which became some of the best-selling records of all time and redefined the pop genre.
Reflecting on Jones’ career, jazz pianist Herbie Hancock once said, “You name it, Quincy’s done it. He’s been able to take this genius of his and translate it into any kind of sound that he chooses.” Hancock emphasized Jones’ tenacity and drive, adding, “He is fearless. If you want Quincy to do something, you tell him that he can’t do it. And of course he will — he’ll do it.”
Jones’ life was a testament to artistic ambition and versatility, and his influence remains a fixture in the music industry.
His groundbreaking achievements, his tireless spirit, and his unyielding creativity have left a lasting mark on generations of music lovers and musicians alike.
