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Quincy Jones, 28-Time Grammy Winner Dies At 91
Songwriter, Music Producer, Composer, Arranger, Film Producer & Music Exec. –QUINCY JONES died at 91 in his BEL AIR CALIFORNIA home on SUNDAY night (11/3). The cause of death has not been confirmed.
His seven-decade music career included collaborations with FRANK SINATRA, ARETHA FRANKLIN, ELLA FITZGERALD, TEVIN CAMPBELL, DUKE ELLINGTON, JAMES INGRAM, DINAH WASHINGTON, PATTYI AUSTN, DIZZY GILLESPIE, MICHAEL JACKSON, and so many others.
He was celebrated for producing JACKSON’s iconic album “Thriller,” along with crafting “We Are the World.” The first contemporary hit that he produced and arranged was a Top 40 song by LESLIE GORE, “It’s My Party.”
JONES earned 80 GRAMMY nominations, won 28, and was also honored as a GRAMMY Legend. He also received seven OSCAR nominations.
WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC Co-Chair and CEO GUY MOOT and Co-Chair and COO CARIANNE MARSHALL said, “We join billions of music fans around the world as we mourn the loss of the great QUINCY JONES and celebrate his immeasurable contributions to culture. Words like titan, genius, GOAT, will be used today and he deserves it all.”
“QUINCY was a producer, artist, composer, and activist, but above all, he was a songwriter. He leaves behind an extraordinarily powerful, diverse body of work that will light the way for future generations. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”
The JONES family has requested privacy and asked that donations be made to THE JAZZ FOUNDATION OF AMERICA in lieu of flowers.
Born in 1933, JONES began his musical journey at age 10 in BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, experimenting with instruments before choosing the trumpet. He performed with RAY CHARLES and other jazz artists in SEATTLE’s jazz scene.
At 18, JONES attended SEATTLE UNIVERSITY and later transferred to BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC in BOSTON, but he left to tour with jazz pianist LIONEL HAMPTON. He gained recognition with albums like “Walking in Space” and “Gula Matari” after signing with ABC-PARAMOUNT in 1956.
In addition to his work with JACKSON, JONES produced albums and songs for notable artists such as ELLA FITZGERALD, DUKE ELLINGTON, DINAH WASHINGTON, and DIZZY GILLESPIE, helping shape the sound of multiple genres.
JONES became the first Black Exec. at MERCURY RECORDS, later formed QWEST PRODUCTIONS, and in 1980, he launched his record label, QWEST RECORDS.
He expanded outside the music business in 1964, composing scores for films “The Pawnbroker” and “The Italian Job,” and later producing movies such as “The Color Purple.” His TV productions included “The Fresh Prince of BEL-AIR,” which launched the career of WILL SMITH. He also wrote the theme song for the TV Show Sanford & Son.
JONES married three times and is survived by his seven children: JOLIE, RACHEL, MARTINA, QUINCY DELIGHT III, KIDADA ANN, RASHIDA, and KENYA KINSKI-JONES.