Quincy Jones, the pioneering music producer, composer, and arranger who redefined popular music and set groundbreaking records across the music, film, and television industries, has passed away at 91. Jones died Sunday night at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, surrounded by his family, according to his publicist Arnold Robinson.
In a statement, the Jones family shared, “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.”
Jones’ legacy is monumental, marked by a career that brought rhythm, soul, and innovation to music and culture on an international scale. His journey from Chicago’s South Side to Hollywood’s elite ranks spanned over seven decades, during which he became one of the first Black executives to thrive in the entertainment industry. Alongside his powerful music catalog, Jones’ presence in the industry set a path for countless artists, composers, and producers.
Jones’ influence is perhaps best known through his legendary collaborations with icons such as Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, and Frank Sinatra. With Jackson, he produced three of the most transformative albums in music history—‘Off the Wall,’ ‘Thriller,’ and ‘Bad.’ ‘Thriller’ alone sold over 20 million copies in its first year and remains one of the best-selling albums of all time. Jones’ ability to blend disco, funk, rock, pop, R&B, jazz, and even African chants brought a global, genre-defining sound to the project, featuring unforgettable moments like Eddie Van Halen’s guitar solo on ‘Beat It’ and Vincent Price’s eerie voiceover on the title track.
Jones also made his mark in film and television, composing scores for classics such as Roots and In the Heat of the Night. His contribution to music was celebrated on numerous stages; he was honored with 28 Grammy Awards, an honorary Academy Award, and the Kennedy Center Tribute. His accolades include the Legion d’Honneur from France, the Rudolph Valentino Award from Italy, and the first-ever Peace Through Music Award from the U.S. State Department.
Born in Chicago in 1933, Jones’ early years were marked by hardship. After his mother was institutionalized, he found himself immersed in the struggles of street life. A traumatic moment from his youth, in which his hand was injured with a switchblade, left him scarred but motivated. Jones often said that music saved him. After moving to Washington state with his father, he discovered a piano in a recreation center, an instrument that would become his sanctuary.
“I knew this was it for me. Forever,” he once recalled.
As a producer, arranger, and cultural architect, Quincy Jones became the “master orchestrator,” guiding projects and artists with a precision that elevated them to greatness. His life and work not only made a lasting impact on music and entertainment but opened doors for a new generation of Black artists and creatives in Hollywood.
Jones’ life was further captured in documentaries, including a 2018 film by his daughter Rashida Jones, as well as in his autobiography Q, which also chronicled his evolution as one of the most influential cultural figures of our time.
As we remember Quincy Jones, we honor a man whose contributions to music and film gave a voice to the culture and a sound to the world. His impact will continue to resonate, inspiring future generations to reach new heights in creativity and innovation.