By Quincy Jones, a towering figure in the music industry renowned for his work with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Count Basie, has died at the age of 91. Jones passed away peacefully on Sunday at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, surrounded by family, according to a statement from his publicist Arnold Robinson. While the cause of death was not disclosed, the family shared a heartfelt message: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. Though this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Jones’ career spanned more than seven decades, during which he became one of the most influential figures in music, seamlessly bridging genres from jazz to hip-hop. His mastery in the studio, as both a composer and arranger, defined the sound of some of the 20th century’s biggest stars. “Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity,” his family said.
A Career Filled with Firsts and Industry-Defining Moments
Born in 1933 in Chicago, Quincy Jones discovered a passion for the piano as a young boy and formed a close friendship with Ray Charles in his teens. After briefly studying at the Berklee College of Music, he joined Lionel Hampton’s band and moved to New York, where he arranged for legends like Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington, and Count Basie. He performed alongside Dizzy Gillespie and studied under the iconic composer Nadia Boulanger in Paris.
Jones also made history as the first Black composer to receive an Oscar nomination for original song, for the 1967 film Banning, and later became a powerhouse in Hollywood, scoring films and television shows. Over his prolific career, he earned 28 Grammy Awards, founded a record label, and even launched a hip-hop magazine. In the 1990s, Jones also produced The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, bringing Will Smith to stardom.
His collaborations with Michael Jackson on Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad cemented his status as a musical icon. “You name it, Quincy’s done it,” jazz legend Herbie Hancock said in 2001. “If you want Quincy to do something, you tell him he can’t do it. And of course he will — he’ll do it.”
Jones’ remarkable life and contributions to music will continue to inspire generations.
