The music world mourns the loss of Quincy Jones, an unparalleled force in American music, whose influence spanned decades and transcended genres. “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” his family shared 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.”
Jones’ journey from the gang-ridden streets of Chicago’s South Side to the pinnacle of show business made him one of the most influential Black executives in Hollywood. His name became synonymous with musical excellence and his works remain some of the most treasured in American rhythm and blues.
Over a career that stretched from the age of vinyl to digital streaming, Jones collaborated with a dazzling array of legends. His mastery brought iconic records to life, including albums by Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, and Ella Fitzgerald. His work on Jackson’s “Thriller” set the standard for global pop, fusing funk, rock, and jazz into a style that captivated audiences worldwide. For the hit single “Beat It,” Jones brought in Eddie Van Halen for an unforgettable guitar solo, and enlisted Vincent Price for the ghoulish narration on “Thriller.”
Jones’ name was attached to dozens of hits and cultural milestones, including his direction of the star-studded “We Are the World” project for famine relief in Africa. Co-writer Lionel Richie called him “the master orchestrator,” and it was this gift for collaboration that defined much of Jones’ career. Whether with jazz icons like Dizzy Gillespie or pop icons like Michael Jackson, Jones’ touch was undeniable, creating music that continues to resonate.
Born in 1933, Jones grew up amid hardship, and he often recalled how music became his sanctuary. From an early piano discovery to his first trumpet lessons, he was drawn to music, soon befriending fellow musician Ray Charles and winning a scholarship to Berklee College of Music. His early career saw him back Billie Holiday and tour with Lionel Hampton, building a foundation that would eventually take him to Hollywood, where he broke racial barriers as a top executive at Mercury Records and became the first Black musical director for the Academy Awards.
Jones’ career in film scoring and production brought him further renown, especially with The Color Purple, which earned 11 Oscar nominations. His Qwest Entertainment company later developed the pop-culture magazine Vibe and produced The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, launching Will Smith’s acting career.
Through his Listen Up! Foundation, Jones dedicated himself to using his fame to support education and combat poverty worldwide. He once said, “The best and only useful aspect of fame and celebrity is having a platform to help others.” He saw fame as a duty to improve the lives of others, a belief he held to the end.
Jones is survived by his seven children and numerous grandchildren. His life, he often said, was like “a dream,” one he lived to the fullest.
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