Quincy Jones, the legendary producer who worked with Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, has died aged 91
Quincy Jones died in his home in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Quincy Jones died at 91 in his home in Bel Air, his publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed in a statement shared with B-17.
Jones, a 28-time Grammy Award winner, was best known for producing Michael Jackson’s best-selling album, “Thriller.” In his seven-decade career, he collaborated with Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Betty Carter, among others.
He was surrounded by his children, his siblings, and close family when he died, Robinson said.
His family said in a statement via Robinson: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. 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.
“He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”
His family requested privacy during this time of mourning and asked that donations be made to The Jazz Foundation of America in lieu of flowers.
Quincy Jones is best known for his contributions to other artists’ careers.
Ray Charles and Quincy Jones performed together before either became became famous.
His music journey started at age 10 in 1943 when his family moved to Bremerton, Washington, and he began experimenting with various instruments.
Jones settled on the trumpet and began performing with Ray Charles, who was still an unknown artist, as part of Seattle’s lively jazz nightclub scene and at local weddings.
At 18, Jones attended Seattle University and then transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston, but he ultimately quit to go on tour with jazz pianist Lionel Hampton and launch his professional career.
Jones first became popular with albums including “Walking in Space” and “Gula Matari,” after he signed his first record deal with ABC-Paramount in 1956.
But Jones is better known for his contributions to other artists’ careers. He was a prolific arranger and producer, crafting records for many acts, including Charles, Sinatra Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and Dizzy Gillespie.
They include hits such Lesley Gore’s “It’s My Party” and the 1985 all-star charity single “We Are the World.”
After creating the soundtrack for the 1978 movie musical “The Wiz,” starring Jackson, Jones worked with him on his next three albums, “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” and “Bad.” They sold 54 million copies in the US alone, helped launch Jackson to superstardom, and featured his most famous songs.
Jones was the first Black executive at a major American record label.
Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones won multiple Grammys for “Thriller” in 1984.
Jones had executive roles in multiple companies, starting with Mercury Records.
Jones began working as a music director for Barclay Disques, Mercury Records’ French brand, in 1957 and moved up the ranks until before becoming its vice president in 1964. Jones was the first Black artist to hold an executive position at a major American record label.
In 1975, Jones formed Qwest Productions to collaborate and produce songs for artists including Sinatra, and in 1980, Jones launched his record label, Qwest Records.
Jones also helped launch careers of actors such as Will Smith.
The cast of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” on set.
Partway through his career, Jones began writing Hollywood film scores, debuting with 1964’s “The Pawnbroker.” The film was a success, leading him to leave Mercury Records for Los Angeles. He also wrote scores for films including 1966’s “Walk Don’t Run” and 1969’s “The Italian Job.”
Jones became a film producer in 1985, beginning with “The Color Purple,” which received 11 Oscar nominations.
With his film and TV production companies — Quincy Jones Entertainment and Quincy Jones/David Salzman Entertainment — he produced the TV series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Mad TV,” which launched the careers of Will Smith, Keegan Michael Key, and Jordan Peele.
Jones was nominated for 52 Grammys, winning 28, and was nominated for seven Oscars.
Jones married three times and had seven children.
Rashida Jones, an actor, is one of Quincy Jones’ most famous children.
Jones married and divorced three times, first to childhood sweetheart Jeri Caldwell from 1957-1966, then to Swedish model Ulla Andersson from 1967-1974, and finally to actor Peggy Lipton from 1974-90.
Jones is survived by his seven children — Jolie Jones Levine, 70; Rachel Jones, 60; Martina Jones, 58; Quincy Delight Jones III, 55; Kidada Ann Jones, 50; Rashida Jones, 48; and Kenya Kinski-Jones, 31 — some of whom have children and grandchildren.
