Quincy Jones, the renowned musician whose illustrious career spanned from the early 1950s through his influential work with Michael Jackson and beyond, passed away on Sunday at the age of 91. His publicist confirmed the news in a statement, though the cause of death was not disclosed. Jones died peacefully at his home in Bel Air, California, surrounded by his family.
In a heartfelt message, his family expressed their grief, stating, “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. While this is an immense loss for our family, we celebrate the remarkable life he led and recognize that there will never be another like him.”
Pop singer Michael Jackson and producer Quincy Jones pose for a portrait after winning at the Grammys for their work on the album Thriller. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Throughout the 1980s, Jones was pivotal in creating some of music’s most iconic moments. He produced or co-produced three of Michael Jackson’s best-selling albums, including the groundbreaking Thriller in 1982, and played a key role in the production of the 1985 charity single “We Are the World” for USA for Africa. His influence on the music industry spanned decades; he once held the record for the most Grammy nominations with 80, a record later surpassed by Jay-Z and Beyoncé. With 28 Grammy wins, he ranks third in history, behind Beyoncé (32) and conductor Georg Solti (31).
Born Quincy Delight Jones in 1933, he began his career in jazz, playing trumpet in Lionel Hampton’s band at the young age of 19. Over the years, he shared stages with legends like Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley. By the 1960s, Jones had established himself as a prominent film composer, earning three of his seven Academy Award nominations in 1968 and 1969, while also becoming a respected music executive, arranger, and producer. He produced numerous hits, including those for Lesley Gore, while also releasing his own albums, such as The Great Wide World of Quincy Jones and Quincy Jones Plays Hip Hits.
(L-R) Musician Stevie Wonder, record producer Quincy Jones and singer-songwriter John Legend attend The Art of Elysium presents Stevie Wonder’s HEAVEN – Celebrating the 10th Anniversary at Red Studios. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium)
In the 1970s, he continued to shine as both a performer and executive, notably with the soundtrack for The Wiz. The 1980s marked a period of remarkable achievements, including “We Are the World” and Thriller, as well as his first film production, The Color Purple, which catapulted Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg to stardom. His album Back on the Block won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1991.
Jones’s contributions extended beyond music and film. After founding Quincy Jones Entertainment in 1990, he oversaw popular television shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and MADtv. His 2001 autobiography, Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones, chronicled his encounters with music’s greatest stars and his personal struggles with mental health and his challenging upbringing in Chicago.
In addition to his artistic achievements, Jones was also deeply committed to philanthropy, supporting causes related to music preservation, arts education, and aid for underprivileged youth. His personal life included three marriages and seven children, among them actresses Kidada and Rashida Jones—his daughters with actress Peggy Lipton—and Kenya Kinski-Jones, a fashion model whose mother is German actress Nastassja Kinski.
This report has reporting from NPR.
