Quincy Jones, Legendary Producer and Music Icon, Dead at 91

Legendary Music Producer Quincy Jones Dead at 91

Hollywood is mourning the loss of a legend.

Quincy Jones, the Grammy Award-winning producer and composer who worked with countless musicians including Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, has died at the age of 91, his publicist Arnold Robinson shared in a statement Nov. 3.

Jones passed away at his home in Bel Air, Calif., Robinson noted, and was surrounded by his children, siblings, and close 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,” his family shared in a statement obtained by NBC News. “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.”

“He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly,” they continued. “We take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”

The Chicago native’s impressive career as an arranger and compser began in the mid-1950s and spanned over seven decades in the entertainment industry, working alongside numerous legends including Ray Charles, Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

Jones—who is survived by his brother, two sisters and his seven children including actresses Kidada Jones and Rashida Jones—went on to earn numerous accolades including 28 Grammy Awards, cementing him as the third artist to have the most Grammys ever and produce massive hits such as 1985’s “We Are The World,” a recording that would go on to become the best-selling single of all time.

Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images

The multi-hyphenate also produced some of music’s most prolific albums including Jackson’s Off The Wall, Bad and Thriller, as well as popular TV shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, becoming one of the most successful and prominent executives in the industry.

In addition to his stand-out career as a composer, record producer, TV producer and arranger, Jones also served as a film producer, conductor, record company executive and humanitarian. In 2018, Jones reflected on what he was most proud of throughout the years.

“That anything I can feel, I can notate musically,” he told Vulture at the time. “Not many people can do that. I can make a band play like a singer sings. That’s what arranging is, and it’s a great gift.”

As he noted, “Everything was something to be proud of—absolutely. It’s been an amazing contrast of genres. Since I was very young, I’ve played all kinds of music: Bar mitzvah music, Sousa marches, strip-club music, jazz, pop. Everything. I didn’t have to learn a thing to do Michael Jackson.”

At the time, Jones also detailed working on newer projects including a streaming service centered around jazz. “I can’t believe I still get to be involved in things like this,” he told the publication. “I stopped drinking two years ago and I feel like I’m 19 years old. I’ve never been so creative. I can’t tell you, man—what a life!”

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