Quincy Jones, a giant in the American entertainment industry known for his collaborations with legends like Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, passed away at the age of 91.
He died on Sunday evening at his residence in Bel Air, Los Angeles, surrounded by family, according to his publicist, Arnold Robinson,
“The news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing comes to you tonight with heavy hearts,” the family expressed in an announcement. “While this is an immense loss for us, we honour the remarkable life he led and recognize that there will never be another like him.”
Jones was arguably the most multifaceted pop culture icon of the 20th century, perhaps most recognised for producing Michael Jackson’s albums Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad during the 1980s, which propelled the artist to become the world’s greatest pop star. He also crafted music for artists such as Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Donna Summer, among many others.
He was also a successful composer of countless film soundtracks and scored many chart-topping hits under his name. Jones was also a bandleader in the big band jazz scene, an arranger for jazz legends like Count Basie, and a skilled musician, primarily excelling on the trumpet and piano.
His television and film production company, established in 1990, achieved notable success with the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and other productions. He continued to push boundaries into his 80s, launching Qwest TV in 2017, a music-focused on-demand television service.
Jones ranks third behind Beyoncé and Jay-Z for the most Grammy nominations ever, with 80 to their 88. He is also the third most-awarded winner in Grammy history, boasting 28 awards.
