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Nov 04, 2024 By Mark Redfern

The legendary musician, producer, arranger, film and TV composer, and film and TV producer, Quincy Jones, has died at age 91. Jones was one of the few EGOT winners (meaning he’s been awarded an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony) and had won 28 Grammys (out of 80 nominations). Jones died at his home yesterday in Bel Air.

Jones was born on the South Side of Chicago on March 14, 1933. His grandmother was a former slave. Jones’ mother, Sara Frances, was a bank officer and apartment complex manager and his father, Quincy Delight Jones, was a semi-professional baseball player and carpenter. His mother had a schizophrenic breakdown and was sent to a mental institution when Jones was young, meaning that he was mainly raised by his dad (and eventually his stepmother) and had a tricky relationship with his mom throughout his life. The family eventually moved to Seattle, where Jones started to get involved in the local jazz scene, eventually attending Seattle University in 1951, before he was soon transferred to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, both via scholarships.

Jones’ first break came when he joined Lionel Hampton’s band in 1953, at age 20, for a European tour. And soon he was playing in Dizzy Gillespie’s band. In the 1960s he was the first African American vice president at Mercury Records and started to venture into composing music for films, including scores for such classics as In the Heat of the Night, In Cold Blood, The Italian Job, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, and The Getaway. He also worked as an arranger for Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley Horn, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and, most notably, Frank Sinatra. He also released several albums of his own music, including 1962’s Big Band Bossa Nova, which featured “Soul Bossa Nova,” which found a new audience in 1997 thanks to its prominent use in the 1997 film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (Jones even had a cameo in the 2002 sequel, Austin Powers in Goldmember, as the song once again played over the opening credits). In the ’60s Jones also produced several hit singles for Lesley Gore, including the #1 hit “It’s My Party.”

The soundtrack he produced for 1978’s musical film The Wiz (which Jones also appeared in) led to a very fruitful three-album collaboration with Michael Jackson, with Jones being the main architect of Jackson’s sound on 1979’s Off the Wall, 1982’s Thriller, and 1987’s Bad. Thriller remains the best selling album of all time and in 1985 he produced the charity single, “We Are the World,” a star-studded affair that raised more than $80 million for humanitarian aid in Africa and the United States and is one of the best selling singles of all time. That same year Jones produced the Oscar-nominated film The Color Purple (directed by Steven Spielberg) and also did the score for the film. Jones’ Qwest Entertainment also helped make New Order successful in America in the ’80s, among other notable artists he worked with that decade. His 1989 solo album, Back on the Block, won the Album of the Year Grammy.

In the 1990s Quincy Jones Productions got into TV production, including the hit show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, with Jones helping to launch Will Smith’s acting career, and Madtv. Jones also worked with Miles Davis on his final album, 1991’s Miles & Quincy Live at Montreux, and produced an event in honor of President Bill Clinton’s inauguration.

Jones published his autobiography, Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones, 2001 and has remained active in the two decades since then, working with such younger artists as Jacob Collier, Justin Kauflin, Mark Ronson, and The Weeknd.

Jones never learned how to drive, after almost dying in a car crash at age 14, and was a big believer in astrology. He was married three times and had seven kids with five different women. Rashida Jones, one of his two daughters with actress Peggy Lipton (of The Mod Squad and later Twin Peaks), his third wife, is an accomplished film and TV actress known for The Office, Parks & Recreation, and I Love You, Man. Rashida Jones is in a long term relationship with Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend and the couple have a son together. As well as co-writing Toy Story 4, she co-wrote and co-directed Quincy, a 2018 documentary on her father that won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Music Film.

It’s no overstatement to say that Quincy Jones’ impact on 70 years of music was profound.

Various notable artists and notable figures have expressed their appreciation for Jones today on social media. Read their tributes below.

The Weeknd wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “My fans know how important Quincy was to the fabric of my music. I was given the opportunity to write a foreword to his book and tried to capture what he meant to me as a human. Let’s celebrate his life today.”

Ice-T also wrote on X: “I woke up today to the Terrible news that we lost Quincy Jones. Genius is a description loosely used but Rarely deserved. Point blank, Quincy was the MAN. I won my 1st Grammy with Quincy and I live with his Wisdom daily. My condolences go out to his family who I had the honor of meeting. This one Hit me. God bless you KING.”

New Order paid tribute on Instagram: “Very sorry to hear about the passing of our old label boss and collaborator, Quincy Jones. We were on his label Qwest for many years, he did a great remix of Blue Monday in 1988. We send all our condolences and thoughts to his family, he was a true legend!”

Former New Order member Peter Hook also wrote on X: “It’s so sad to hear about Quincy Jones. When he signed us to his label, he made us feel so welcome—inviting us to dinner at his home every time we were in town. He made us big in America. He was so humble and sweet that you immediately fell in love with him. And to this day I still got a lovely message from him every year on Christmas and birthday cards! A musical genius and a great, lovely man. He will be sorely missed. RIP.”

British actor Michael Caine, a longtime friend of Jones who shared a birthday with him, wrote on X: “My Celestial twin Quincy was a titan in the musical world. He was a wonderful and unique human being, lucky to have known him.”

Will Smith posted this tribute to X: “Quincy Jones is the definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend. He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”

LL Cool J wrote on Instagram: “You were a father and example at a time when I truly needed a father and example. Mentor. Role model. King. You gave me opportunities and shared wisdom. Music would not be music without you. My condolences to the entire family. I love you. Rest in the sweetest music eternally.”

Elton John commented on Instagram: “Nobody had a career as incredible as Quincy Jones. He played with the best and he produced the best. What a guy. Loved him.”

Lin Manuel Miranda wrote in an Instagram post: “A genius has left us. Grateful for all he gave us. Rest easy, maestro. And thank you for the music.”

Morgan Freeman wrote on X: “Today, we say goodbye to the legendary Quincy Jones—a musical giant whose genius reshaped our world and left an enduring legacy. Rest well, Quincy.”

Former President Barack Obama wrote on X: “For decades, Quincy Jones was music. From producing Thriller, to composing the score for The Color Purple, to working with Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles, it seemed like every big record – and every big film – had Quincy’s name on it. His music appealed to listeners of every race and every age. And by building a career that took him from the streets of Chicago to the heights of Hollywood, Quincy paved the way for generations of Black executives to leave their mark on the entertainment business. Michelle and I send our thoughts to Quincy’s friends, family, and everyone who has lived their lives to his songs.”

And finally, Vice President (and presidential candidate) Kamala Harris took the time from her busy campaign schedule to write on X: “Quincy Jones was a trailblazer. As a composer, arranger, record and movie producer, he created art that brought joy to millions of people. As an activist, Quincy championed civil and human rights. As a role model, he offered inspiration and mentorship, in particular for young people of color in the music industry. I was honored to call Quincy a friend, and I will always remember his generosity of spirit, his selfless support, and his deep kindness. Doug and I are praying for the Jones family and all those who loved him.”

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