Quincy Jones, Musical Titan And Entertainment Icon Dies At 91

Jones died peacefully Sunday night at his home in Bel Air, California, surrounded by family, according to a statement from his publicist to CNN.

“With full but broken hearts, we announce the passing of our father and brother Quincy Jones,” his family shared. “While this is an enormous loss, we celebrate his remarkable life. There will never be another like him. His music and spirit touched the world, and he will live on through everything he created. We take pride in knowing his love and joy were shared with the world.”

A masterful jazz and pop artist, Jones also excelled as an arranger, conductor, record executive, and civil rights advocate, crafting a nearly unrivaled career in the industry.

Among his numerous achievements were composing the score for “In the Heat of the Night,” producing Michael Jackson’s legendary “Thriller” album, and gathering music stars for the 1985 charity anthem “We Are the World.”

Born in Chicago to a carpenter father and a mother who faced mental health challenges, Jones found music early on, learning the piano. His family later moved to Seattle, where he studied under trumpet legend Clark Terry and met Ray Charles, beginning a lifelong friendship.

Read Also: How I Met, Married Ned Nwoko – Regina Daniels

As a teenager, Jones performed in jazz bands and caught the attention of bandleader Lionel Hampton. Though Hampton’s wife advised Jones to finish school, he soon joined the band on tour and later graduated from what is now Berklee College of Music.

This launched Jones’ storied career, arranging and recording with jazz greats like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie. In 1961, he joined Mercury Records, becoming its vice president three years later — a historic appointment for an African-American in the industry.

He produced hits like Lesley Gore’s “It’s My Party” and arranged for stars like Sinatra and Peggy Lee. His work earned him Grammys, and he composed soundtracks for films such as “In the Heat of the Night.”

In 1969, he moved to A&M Records and founded Qwest Records in 1981. A milestone came in 1982 with Jackson’s “Thriller,” followed by the success of “We Are the World” and his role as producer for Spielberg’s “The Color Purple.”

Jones also brought his talents to television, producing “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and later founding Vibe magazine in 1993.

After surviving a brain aneurysm in 1974, Jones spent more time with family, raising seven children from his marriages to Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Andersson, and Peggy Lipton, and relationships with Carol Reynolds and Nastassja Kinski.

In later years, he produced the documentary “Keep on Keepin’ On” about mentor Clark Terry. Reflecting on his career, he told Rolling Stone, “I’ve been blessed to work with every major music star. You can’t plan that… you just wait until they call you.”