Quincy Jones Dead at 91
Quincy Jones, a music legend with decades in the industry, has passed away at the age of 91. Jones has worked with many artists from Michael Jackson to Frank Sinatra.
Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed with multiple sources early Monday morning that the legendary producer passed away Sunday night at his home in Bel-Air. The legendary producer was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.
“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.”
Jones is survived by his 7 children: Rashida Jones, Kidada Jones, Kenya Kinski-Jones, Quincy Jones III, Jolie Jones Levine, Martina Jones, and Rachel Jones. Also, he leaves behind his grandchildren, godchildren, and many other relatives and friends.
Remembering Quincy Jones
The legendary music producer was born in March of 1933 in Chicago, IL. His career spanned over 70 years of greatness with 28 Grammy awards won out of 80 nominations and a special Grammy Legend Award in 1992.
The jazz guru started his career early on at the age of 20 traveling with jazz bandleader, Lionel Hampton. He rose to stardom first when he played as a prominent trumpet player for Hapmton and Dizzy Gillespie. As he grew into the music industry and later gettign involved with film, one of his most notorious creations is the hit sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Smith tells the story of Jones giving him an audition in the middle of his home for the iconic show in which Jones produced under Quincy Jones Productions with Time Warner Cable. The show picked up in 1990 and ran for multiple seasons concluding in 1996.
Jones also helped produce some of Michael Jackson‘s most legendary albums including “Off the Wall,” “Bad,” and “Thriller.”
Time Magazine named Jones one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. Jones impacted the industry for decades as a composer, record producer, artist, film producer, arranger, conductor, instrumentalist, TV producer, record company executive, magazine founder, and more.
