Music industry mourns loss of Legendary music Producer ‘Quincy Jones’

The twenty- eight time Grammy award winning recipient peacefully passed away at his LA home on 3rd November 2024 at the age of 91, where he was surrounded by family and his publicist who broke the news. 

Revered as one of the most iconic producers/ musicians throughout the generations, with a career spanning well over 5 decades, Quincy Jones has become a staple in the industry as his musical injections and influences continue to create an impact.

With his early career beginning in Seattle as a trumpet player aged 16, backing a then young talent ‘Ray Charles’, Jones started to create a name for himself as a musician amongst the Jazz circuits. 

Jones later went on to collaborate with the likes of Frank Sinatra in 1958, followed by creating for prominent musical figures Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin, to name a few. But his biggest musical moment arrived when he collaborated with King of Pop ‘Micheal Jackson’ on the ‘Off The Wall’ Album in 1979 as the lead producer. After meeting during the production of the adaptation of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ ‘The Wiz’ was created, with Micheal Jackson acting as one of the lead characters and Jones creating the songs. The two developed a magical working relationship that later saw them produce Micheal’s 1982 monumental album ‘Thriller’ following ‘Off The Wall’. 

With much continued success, Jones began producing scores for film and television. His musical credits can be found on the classic soundtrack to film ‘The Colour Purple’ 1985.

As the Chairman and CEO of ‘Quincy Jones Entertainment’, he went on to produce the most successful African American led sitcom of the 90’s ‘The Fresh Prince Of Bel- Air’, which aired between 1990- 1996 and catapulted the career of budding actor/rapper ‘Will Smith’.

Quincy Jones ventured into the world of publishing also and founded the highly successful Hip Hop magazine ‘Vibe’ in 1993. Throughout the years he went on to tapping into other ventures whilst still creating music and producing scores for the movie musical adaptation of ‘The Colour Purple in 2023.

Jones’s musical and cultural contributions are undeniable and his legacy continues to live through his family, work and those who are inspired by it. 

SOURCE: @ceeinlivincolour

Chloe Bernard