Quincy Jones, Iconic Music Producer and Composer, Passes Away at 91

Legendary music producer Quincy Jones, known for his collaborations with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and a host of other music luminaries, has died at the age of 91. According to his publicist, Arnold Robinson, Jones died peacefully on Sunday evening at his residence in Bel Air.

The family released a heartfelt statement following his passing: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. 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’ illustrious career spanned over seven decades during which he emerged as a pivotal figure in music, earning 28 Grammy awards and securing his place as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century, as noted by Time magazine.

He was instrumental in reshaping Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon” from a waltz into a vibrant swing version early in his career. His collaboration with Michael Jackson produced some of the pop star’s most acclaimed albums, including ‘Off the Wall’, ‘Thriller’, and ‘Bad’. Notably, ‘Thriller’ remains the best-selling album of all time.

Jones’ reach extended beyond music into television and film. He was a key producer behind the hit TV series ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ and made significant contributions to cinema with his work on the film ‘The Color Purple’, which catapulted Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg into fame and earned him an Oscar nomination for his score.

In 1985, Jones was behind the charity single “We Are the World”, which was recorded by 46 top U.S. artists to aid famine relief in Ethiopia. The song mirrored the success of Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas” and became a cultural phenomenon, topping charts and being performed at the iconic Live Aid concert

Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment industry. Playwright Jeremy O’Harris lauded Jones on social media, calling his contributions to American culture “limitless”, and noted he was the first black person nominated for an Oscar for best score. LL Cool J and Darius Rucker shared personal reflections on Jones’ influence in their lives and careers, celebrating him as a mentor and musical genius.

Quincy Jones leaves behind a profound legacy not only in music but also in film and television, celebrated by his seven children, including music producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones, and his numerous accolades across multiple fields of entertainment. His enduring influence and beloved presence in the industry will be deeply missed.