Quincy Jones, Legendary Music Producer, Dead at 91
Grammy-winning music producer Quincy Jones has died at age 91, his family announced in a statement. The Associated Press first reported the news. Jones passed away Sunday night at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by loved ones.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family’s 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.”
Jones was among the most celebrated and prolific musicians and producers of all time. He studied at Boston’s Berklee School of Music and by the age of 18 was writing music for performers such as Count Basie and Dinah Washington. He served as band director for Dizzy Gillespie and arranged two of Ray Charles’ most iconic records, The Genius of Ray Charles and Genius + Soul Jazz. In 1964, Jones won his first Grammy for arranging Charles’ cover of the country track I Can’t Stop Loving You.
Jones went on to collaborate with Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Chaka Khan, but it was his work with Michael Jackson which became some of his most memorable. Jones’ work with Jackson resulted in eighteen Top 10 hits, 10 No. 1 singles, four Grammy wins for Jones, and three multi-platinum albums including Thriller.
In 1985, Jones arranged the all-star recording of We Are the World which featured Jackson, Charles, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and Diana Ross.
"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,” the family’s statement continued. “Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”
Jones is survived by his brother, Richard Jones, and sisters Theresa Frank and Margie Jay; as well as his son Quincy Jones III and daughters Jolie Jones Levine, Rachel Jones, Martina Jones, Kidada Jones, Kenya Kinski-Jonesson, and Rashida Jones.