Iconic music producer Quincy Jones has passed away at age 91.
His family released a heartfelt statement, mourning the loss of their beloved father and brother.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the statement read. “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. 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.”
A titan of the music industry, Jones collaborated with some of the greatest artists of all time, including Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, and Michael Jackson. His illustrious career earned him a staggering 28 Grammy Awards, solidifying his place as the third-most awarded Grammy artist in history.
Born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Jones began his musical journey as a trumpet player in the bands of jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton. His production prowess soon took centre stage, with early hits like Lesley Gore’s ‘t’s My Party’ and ‘You Don’t Own Me.’ However, it was his work on Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking album, Thriller, that catapulted him to international fame.
Jones’ influence extended beyond music, as he ventured into film and television. He composed the score for the acclaimed 1985 film The Color Purple and penned the iconic theme music for the beloved sitcom Sanford and Son. He also served as a producer for popular TV shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Even as a solo artist, Jones left an enduring legacy with albums like Body Heat, Sounds… and Stuff Like That, The Dude, and Back on the Block, which won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1989.
When asked about retirement in 2018, Jones exuded youthful energy, declaring, “I feel like a child, man. I’m just starting.”
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I woke up today to the Terrible news that we lost Quincy Jones.. Genius is a discription loosely used but Rarely deserved. Point blank, Quincy was the MAN. I won my 1st Grammy with Quincy and I live with his Wisdom daily. My condolences go out to his family who I had the honor of… https://t.co/avABvXz0tj pic.twitter.com/nL9UbN1MGc
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) November 4, 2024
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