Quincy Jones, music giant, has passed away at 91. A genius composer, producer, and arranger, he revolutionized the music industry for over 70 years, leaving an indelible mark from pop to jazz.
Quincy Jones, a music legend, passed away on November 3, 2024, in Los Angeles, at the age of 91. A visionary producer, accomplished musician, and a key figure in the music industry for more than seven decades.
Born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Quincy Delight Jones Jr. discovered music at a young age in Seattle, where he became friends with Ray Charles. This meeting would forever shape his life and career. After studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, he began as a trumpeter and arranger for Lionel Hampton in the 1950s.
In 1961, his career took a decisive turn when he was named vice president of Mercury Records, becoming one of the first African-Americans to hold an executive position at a major record label. During the 1960s, he established himself as a renowned arranger, collaborating with artists such as Frank Sinatra, and composing his first film scores, including the music for The Pawnbroker in 1964.
The following decades confirmed Quincy Jones as a genius producer. His collaboration with Michael Jackson led to three legendary albums: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987). Thriller became the best-selling album of all time, with over 46 million copies sold worldwide.
In 1985, he orchestrated the recording of We Are the World, a charity single that broke all sales records. That same year, he produced the soundtrack for Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple, showcasing his talent in the cinematic world.
His extraordinary career earned him unprecedented recognition: 28 Grammy Awards from 80 nominations, an Emmy Award, seven Oscar nominations, and countless other honors. In 2013, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the ultimate recognition for this exceptional artist.
But Quincy Jones did not limit himself to commercial success. Throughout his life, he advocated for the promotion of African-American culture, notably through the creation of the IBAM (Institute for Black American Music) and his involvement in the Black Arts Festival in Chicago. In 1993, he also founded Vibe magazine, dedicated to music and urban culture.
A visionary entrepreneur, he founded Qwest Productions in 1975, followed by Quincy Jones Entertainment in 1990. His influence extended to television, producing hit series like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Married three times, and father of seven children, including actresses Rashida and Kidada Jones, Quincy Jones leaves behind a large and united family. In 2018, his daughter Rashida paid him a heartfelt tribute by co-directing the Netflix documentary Quincy.
A true monument of 20th-century popular music, Quincy Jones left an indelible mark on music history as a composer, arranger, producer, and talent discoverer, transcending genres with rare virtuosity, from jazz to pop, and from hip-hop to classical music.
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