Honouring Quincy Jones: The Visionary Who Broke Barriers in Music
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- November 14, 2024
Quincy Jones, the renowned producer, composer, and entertainment pioneer in the United States, passed away on November 03, 2024, at 91. According to Arnold Robinson, his publicist, Jones, passed away peacefully at his home in Bel Air, surrounded by his loved ones. By influencing generations of music and advancing the careers of innumerable musicians, he made an enduring impact on music and culture.
Quincy Jones pictures by Chris Pizzello-Invision-Chris Pizzello-Invision-AP
Quincy Jones was born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago. His musical career started early, with jazz influencing him from his teenage years when he performed with young Ray Charles. His transition from being a jazz trumpeter and bandleader to a renowned producer, collaborating with luminaries like Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, and Frank Sinatra, demonstrated his unparalleled adaptability. His collaborations with Jackson, particularly on albums like Thriller, Bad, and Off the Wall, revolutionised pop music and established Jackson as the King of Pop. Thriller remains the best-selling album of all time.
Jones’ career was both innovative and broad. He went on to compose music for TV series like Roots and films like The Color Purple after becoming the first Black person to be nominated for an Oscar in 1968 for The Eyes of Love. With the popular sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which established Will Smith’s career, he even had an impact on television.
Jones is third only to Beyoncé and Jay-Z in terms of Grammy award nominations of all time—80 to their 88 each—and is the awards’ third-most-garlanded winner, with 28. Jones continued to innovate in his later years to ensure his influence reached new audiences. In 2017, he launched Qwest TV, which made jazz and other music available on demand.
As we bid farewell to Quincy Jones, we honour his musical legacy and immeasurable cultural contributions. He was a titan who taught us all that greatness knows no bounds. Rest in peace, Quincy Jones. The music will play on.
Ray Charles Confers With Jones on Stage pictures by David Redfern-Redferns-Getty Images
Jones Leaves His Handprints at The TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles in 2018 pictures by Abaca Press-SIPAPRE-Sipa USA via AP.
Naomi Campbell, Jones And The Weeknd Pose For photos in Beverly Hills in 2016 pictures by Charley Gallay-Getty Images
Jones Works With Frank Sinatra on a Soundstage in 1964 pictures by John Dominis-The LIFE Picture Co-Shutterstock
Jones Works on a Music Arrangment in 1959 pictures by Bob Parent-Hulton Archive-Getty Images
Jones Poses With Singers And Producers of We Are The World 25 Years For Haiti Following The Recording Session in Hollywood in 2010 pictures by Kevin Mazur-WireImage-Getty Images
Jones Poses For Photos With Michael Jackson at The 1984 Grammys pictures by Doug Pizac-AP
Jones Performs With His Band in Vienna, Austria, in 1960 pictures by brandstaetter images-Hulton Archive-Getty Images
