Quincy Delight Jones Jr., the iconic American record and television producer whose remarkable career spanned over 70 years, passed away at 91. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that Jones died peacefully on Sunday night at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, surrounded by his beloved family.
In a heartfelt statement, Jones’ family shared, “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. While 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.”
A towering figure in the entertainment industry, Jones collaborated with an array of legendary artists, including Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Will Smith. He is perhaps best known for producing Jackson’s groundbreaking album Thriller, which shattered records by selling over 20 million copies in 1983 alone, solidifying its status as one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Jones also played a pivotal role in the music world as the overseer of the all-star recording of the charity anthem “We Are the World” in 1985, uniting some of the biggest names in music for a noble cause.
Born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago’s South Side, Jones first rose to prominence in the 1950s as a jazz arranger and conductor. He seamlessly transitioned to pop music and film scores, leaving an indelible mark on both genres. In 1968, he made history as the first African American nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “The Eyes of Love” from the film Banning.
His trailblazing achievements continued when, in 1971, he became the first African American musical director and conductor of the Academy Awards. In recognition of his humanitarian efforts, he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995, making him the first African American to earn this prestigious accolade.
Over his illustrious career, Jones amassed 28 Grammy Awards from 80 nominations and was celebrated by Time magazine as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.
