Quincy Jones, Musical Titan and Entertainment Icon, Dead at 91
Quincy Jones, the legendary composer and producer renowned for his influential contributions to music across genres, has passed away at the age of 91, as confirmed by his representatives. He died on Sunday night at his home in Bel Air, California, surrounded by family, including his children and siblings.
In a heartfelt statement, the Jones family expressed their sorrow, stating, “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.” They emphasized the enduring impact of his music and the love he shared with the world.
Jones was a prolific figure in the music industry, known for his work as a jazz and pop musician, arranger, conductor, record label executive, and civil rights advocate. His impressive career spans decades, featuring collaborations with icons such as Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Michael Jackson. Notably, he composed the score for the Oscar-winning film “In the Heat of the Night,” produced Michael Jackson’s record-breaking album “Thriller,” and organized the star-studded charity single “We Are the World” in 1985.
Born in Chicago to a carpenter father and a mother with mental health struggles, Jones developed a passion for music early in life, beginning with piano lessons. His family later relocated to Seattle, where he studied under the famous horn player Clark Terry and forged a lifelong friendship with Ray Charles.
At just 15 years old, Jones was invited to tour with bandleader Lionel Hampton, though he was advised to finish school first. After graduating, he joined Hampton’s band, marking the start of a remarkable journey that would see him arrange and record for legendary figures including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Sarah Vaughan.
In 1961, Jones joined Mercury Records as an A&R director and made history in 1964 when he became the first African American vice president of a major white-owned record label. His first pop hit came with Leslie Gore’s “It’s My Party,” which reached No. 1 on the charts. His achievements during this period included multiple Grammy awards, beginning with his arrangement of the Count Basie Band’s “I Can’t Stop Loving You.”
The 1960s marked Jones’ foray into film, composing soundtracks for “In the Heat of the Night” and “In Cold Blood.” He later worked with A&M Records and launched his own label, Qwest. His partnership with Michael Jackson on the album “Thriller” in 1982 remains one of his most celebrated collaborations.
In addition to his music career, Jones produced the acclaimed film “The Color Purple” and the popular television series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” starring Will Smith, whom he mentored. He also founded the music and culture magazine Vibe in 1993.
Despite suffering a brain aneurysm in 1974 that temporarily curtailed his activities, Jones continued to thrive both personally and professionally. Reflecting on his life, he once recounted attending his own memorial service while recovering from surgery.
Jones was married three times and had seven children. His marriages included his high school sweetheart Jeri Caldwell, model Ulla Andersson, and actress Peggy Lipton, with whom he shared two daughters, actresses Rashida Jones and Kidada Jones. He also had a daughter with dancer Carol Reynolds and another with actress Nastassja Kinski.
In recent years, Jones remained active in the industry, producing the documentary “Keep on Keepin’ On” in 2014 about his mentor, Clark Terry. He reflected on his extraordinary career in a 2014 interview, stating, “I have been blessed to work with every major music star in the history of America.”
In his 2022 book, “12 Notes On Life and Creativity,” Jones emphasized the transformative power of creativity, stating, “If utilized properly, not only does it serve as an outlet, but it also holds the power to transform heartache into something beyond a singular sentiment.”
