Quincy Jones Has Passed Away
The legendary musician, producer, composer, arranger, songwriter, and film producer, Quincy Jones, has unfortunately passed away on November 3rd, 2024, at the age of 91.
Throughout his prolific career, he contributed to numerous classic records, and amassed countless rewards, including 28 Grammy Award wins, out of 80 nominations. Hailed as an inspiration by a great number of iconic artists, across a broad spectrum of genres, Quincy Delight Jones Jr. started his career in 1953, playing the trumpet with Lionel Hampton’s Hampton Orchestra on their European tour. Soon after, he would move to New York, and become a freelance song arranger, working with artists like Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, and Dinah Washington.
Following a tour as a trumpeter and musical director of Dizzy Gillespie’s big band in the mid-1950’s, Jones became the frontman of his own jazz band, and began releasing music for ABC-Paramount Records. His first of 30+ albums, “This Is How I Feel About Jazz,” was released in 1956. In 1961 he became the first African American vice-president of Mercury Records. During the 1960’s, he arranged songs for some of music’s biggest stars, namely Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee.
During his career, he composed musical scores for almost 40 motion pictures. Him and his songwriting partner, Bob Russell, became the first African Americans to be nominated for an Oscar in the category of “Best Original Song,” for “The Eyes Of Love,” from the movie “Banning.” One of the crowning achievements of his career is the three-album collaboration with the pop icon, Michael Jackson. They’ve collaborated on “Off The Wall,” “Bad,” and the legendary “Thriller,” which is the best-selling record of all time, selling over 70 million copies.
Alongside his stunning music career, Jones was also prominent in the film industry. His debut as a movie producer came along in 1985, with “The Color Purple.” It was nominated for 11 Oscars, including one for Jones’ score. Through this movie, he is credited for introducing Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey to film audiences of the world. In 1990, his Quincy Jones Productions joined with Time Warner to create Quincy Jones Entertainment. The company would go on to produce numerous successful shows, including “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which was Will Smith’s breakout role.
Quincy Jones is deservedly hailed as one of the greatest music producers of all time. His contribution to the whole of modern music cannot be overstated.
May he rest in peace.
Quincy Jones ft. Big Daddy Kane, Ice-T, Kool Moe Dee, Melle Mel, Tevin Campbell & Andrae Crouch – Back On The Block
Quincy Jones – Ai No Corrida
