Quincy Jones, the legendary US musician and producer known for his collaborations with icons like Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Ray Charles, died on Sunday night at the age of 91. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that he “passed away peacefully” at his home in Bel Air.
The Jones family expressed their sorrow in a statement, saying, “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.“
With a career spanning over 75 years, Jones is celebrated as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century, winning 28 Grammy Awards. He is best known for producing Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking Thriller album, which sold 34 million copies in the US alone.
Jones contributed to numerous projects, including reworking Sinatra’s classic “Fly Me To The Moon” from a waltz to a swing. He also produced “We Are the World” in 1985, gathering 46 top artists to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief. The single topped charts in the UK and US and was performed at Live Aid.
Michael Caine honored Jones, stating, “He was a wonderful and unique human being, and I am lucky to have known him.” Sir Elton John lauded him, saying, “Nobody had a career as incredible” as Jones and that he “played with the best and produced the best.”
Jones was also a film producer, notably for The Color Purple, which showcased talents like Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg. Goldberg remarked, “He was one of a kind.” His work extended to television as a producer for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
The family shared that Jones was “truly one of a kind” and that “through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.” LL Cool J, who had a close relationship with the family, described Jones as “a mentor, role model, king. You gave me opportunities and shared wisdom.“
Montreux Jazz Festival CEO Mathieu Jaton added that Jones’s spirit “will forever resonate” with the festival’s history. He acknowledged his contributions as a co-producer in the 1990s, which helped elevate the event to new heights.
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