- Quincy Jones passed away on November 3 at the age of 91.
- He was surrounded by loved ones when he passed, though no official cause of death has been named.
- Jones was a legendary music producer responsible for some of the biggest hits, collaborating with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson.
On Sunday, November 3, Quincy Jones passed away. He was 91 years old when he died at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by family. News of his passing has been shared to various outlets by his representative, Arnold Robinson, though no official cause of death has been named by time of writing.
Jones was a towering figure in the music industry, renowned for his groundbreaking work as a producer, arranger, and composer. His career spanned over seven decades, during which he collaborated with some of the greatest artists of all time, most notably producing Michael Jackson‘s iconic albums Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. Jones’s influence extended beyond pop music; he made significant contributions to jazz, film scoring, and television, earning 28 Grammy Awards and a record 80 nominations. His ability to blend genres and bring out the best in artists cemented his legacy as one of the most influential and versatile music producers in history.
The rise of Quincy Jones, a titan of music
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” shared the Jones family in a statement. “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.”
The statement continues, “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.”
Quincy Delight Jones Jr. was born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in a musically rich environment that fueled his passion for music from an early age. Moving to Seattle during his teenage years, he quickly honed his skills on the trumpet and began arranging music. His talent earned him a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, though he left early to tour with Lionel Hampton’s band. This opportunity marked the beginning of his journey in the jazz world, leading to collaborations with legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie.
In the 1950s and 60s, Jones’s career took off as he became one of the first African American arrangers and conductors in Hollywood, scoring films and television shows. He also served as the musical director for major artists like Frank Sinatra. His ability to seamlessly navigate between jazz, pop, and film music not only set him apart but also paved the way for his future as a record producer, where he would later redefine popular music with his innovative and genre-blending approaches.
This approach, in turn, would help transform the landscape of music forever.
Shaping an industry
Quincy Jones’s career reached new heights in the late 1970s and 1980s when he began working with Michael Jackson. Their first collaboration, Off the Wall (1979), was a groundbreaking fusion of pop, funk, and disco, earning widespread critical acclaim and selling over 20 million copies worldwide. Jones’s production genius was instrumental in crafting the album’s slick, polished sound, which redefined the pop genre and established Jackson as a global superstar.
The partnership between Jones and Jackson continued with Thriller (1982), the best-selling album of all time. With Jones at the helm, Thriller produced a string of hit singles, including “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and the title track, showcasing a seamless blend of pop, rock, and R&B. The album not only broke sales records but also won eight Grammy Awards in 1984, including Album of the Year. Jones’s visionary production, coupled with Jackson’s unparalleled—and very particular—artistry, created a cultural phenomenon that transcended music.
Their final collaboration, Bad (1987), further solidified Jones’s legacy as a master producer. The album spawned multiple chart-topping hits like “Bad,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” and “Smooth Criminal.” With its more aggressive and edgy sound, it pushed Jackson’s artistry into new territory while maintaining the commercial appeal. By the end of their partnership, Jones had helped Jackson become one of the most influential and iconic figures in music history, with their work together leaving an indelible mark on pop culture.
