Quincy Jones, the multi-talented music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson’s historic Thriller album to writing prize-winning film and television scores and collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists, has died at 91.
Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, says he died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, surrounded by his family. Jones was to have received an honorary Academy Award later this month.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a 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.”
Born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, Jones discovered a passion for music early on and began his career as a jazz trumpeter and arranger. He worked with legends like Ray Charles and Dizzy Gillespie and quickly became known for his extraordinary talent as an arranger and producer.
In the 1960s, he broke racial barriers in Hollywood, scoring major films such as In the Heat of the Night and The Italian Job. By the 1970s and 1980s, he had become a dominant force in pop music, producing some of Michael Jackson’s biggest albums, including Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. These albums went on to become some of the best-selling records of all time, solidifying Jones's legacy.
Jones also produced the iconic “We Are the World” charity single and founded Vibe magazine, which highlighted Black culture and music. Over his career, he's won 28 Grammy Awards and received countless other honors. Known for his work across genres—from jazz and classical to pop and hip-hop—Jones’s influence on music and culture spans over seven decades, making him a true icon.
RIP Quincy
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