Quincy Jones, an extraordinary figure whose influence shaped generations of music and entertainment, has died at the age of 91. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that Jones passed away on Sunday evening at his Bel Air 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,” his family said in a heartfelt statement. “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 a multifaceted icon in American culture, seamlessly transitioning between roles as a producer, composer, bandleader, and entrepreneur. Known for producing Michael Jackson’s landmark albums Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad in the 1980s, Jones played a pivotal role in transforming Jackson into the most renowned pop star on the planet. His diverse portfolio included working with legends like Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Donna Summer, scoring films like The Color Purple, and overseeing popular TV series such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
His accolades are formidable: with 80 Grammy nominations, Jones is only behind Beyoncé and Jay-Z, and his 28 Grammy wins place him as one of the top award recipients in history. He was a pioneer whose career spanned genres—jazz, pop, R&B, and beyond—embodying versatility and innovation at every turn.
Jones’ story began in 1933 in Chicago, born to a family with a complex history of lineage tied to both slavery and slave ownership. His musical journey started early, influenced by the sounds of a neighbor’s piano and his mother’s singing. After his parents’ separation, he moved to Washington state, picking up various brass instruments and playing in his high-school band. At the age of14, he was performing in Seattle clubs alongside a young Ray Charles.
He made history as the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1968 for “The Eyes of Love” from Banning. Television credits followed, with scores for The Bill Cosby Show and Roots, showcasing his range beyond music to storytelling.
A significant part of his career was marked by his partnership with Frank Sinatra, beginning in 1958, and culminating in Sinatra’s final album in 1984. Jones’ knack for hits extended into pop, with songs like “It’s My Party” for Lesley Gore and funk collaborations that featured George Benson and Chaka Khan.
Yet, his defining era was producing Michael Jackson’s Thriller—the highest-selling album of all time—and spearheading the charity single “We Are the World” with Lionel Richie, a landmark effort for Ethiopian famine relief.
Jones was married three times and have fathered seven children, including actress Rashida Jones. He was open about his relationships, famously dating women across generations and recounting colorful stories from his past. Despite controversies, he remained a central figure in music and cultural discourse.
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