Quincy Jones, the celebrated American music producer and entertainment giant, has died at the age of 91.
Jones passed away peacefully on Sunday night at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, surrounded by his family.
In a statement, his family expressed both sadness and pride: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we share the news of Quincy Jones’ passing. Although this is a great loss, we celebrate the incredible life he lived. There will never be another like him.”
Jones was known for his work with the biggest stars in music history, including Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Aretha Franklin. He produced some of the world’s best-selling albums and is credited with helping to shape modern pop music.
As a Grammy-winning producer, composer, and musician, Quincy Jones was a force in American music, known for his work across multiple genres.
He worked closely with Michael Jackson on three iconic albums — Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad — that turned Jackson into a global superstar.
Jones’ work on Thriller alone helped the album become the best-selling record of all time, with over 70 million copies sold worldwide.
Jackson and Jones shared a unique relationship. Jackson called him “Q,” and together, they created music that remains timeless.
After Jackson’s death in 2009, Jones said, “I’ve lost my little brother, and part of my soul has gone with him.”
Jones’ contributions to music were not limited to producing; he was also a bandleader, arranger, and a skilled instrumentalist on trumpet and piano.
He composed scores for numerous films, including The Italian Job and The Color Purple, the latter earning him three Oscar nominations.
Jones became the first Black American to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song in 1968.
Jones was born in Chicago in 1933. His early exposure to music came from hearing a neighbor play the piano.
After his parents divorced, Jones moved with his father to Washington state, where he joined a high school band and met a 16-year-old Ray Charles.
At just 14, Jones was already playing in Seattle clubs and even had the opportunity to perform with legendary singer Billie Holiday.
In New York City, Jones began to mingle with jazz greats like Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.
He later toured Europe and Paris, meeting icons like Pablo Picasso and Josephine Baker.
These experiences shaped Jones’ ability to cross genres and bring new sounds to American music.
In the 1950s, he produced hits for the young singer Lesley Gore, including the chart-topping “It’s My Party.”
From jazz and R&B to pop, funk, and film scores, Quincy Jones’ career reflected his belief that music should have no boundaries.
“We did everything,” he once said of his musical journey. “Jazz, R&B, pop — I just wanted to make good music.”
In 1958, Quincy Jones met Frank Sinatra and became his music arranger and conductor.
Their partnership led to some of Sinatra’s best-known recordings and lasted until the singer’s final album, LA Is My Lady.
Jones’ influence spread beyond music to television and film. He formed Quincy Jones Entertainment in 1990, which went on to produce popular shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, launching the career of Will Smith.
Jones also founded the music channel Qwest TV in 2017, a platform dedicated to streaming live music performances.
He held 80 Grammy nominations and 28 Grammy wins, placing him among the most awarded in history, alongside artists like Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
