KUALA LUMPUR – Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer who collaborated with global icons like Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, and Will Smith, has died today at the age of 91. His seven-decade career reshaped jazz, pop, and film music.
Jones’ big break came in 1958 when he began working with Frank Sinatra, forming a close bond and creating iconic projects, including LA Is My Lady, Sinatra’s final album.
His film scores included The Italian Job and The Color Purple, which earned him three Oscar nominations, and he later produced We Are the World, a star-studded charity single for Ethiopian famine relief in 1985.
Jones’ work with Michael Jackson on Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad cemented him as one of the music industry’s greatest producers – with Thriller still holding the title of best-selling album globally.
In the 1990s, he also left a mark on television with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, helping to launch Will Smith’s career, and co-founded Vibe magazine, dedicated to Black music and culture.
Born in Chicago in 1933, Jones’ personal journey was shaped by both privilege and hardship. His father’s lineage traced back to a Welsh slave owner and his mother was also descended from enslaved ancestors.
Overcoming a challenging childhood, he discovered music through a neighbour’s piano, and a teenage friendship with jazz legend Ray Charles in Seattle led him into the world of jazz, eventually studying in Paris and working with major artists globally.
Despite surviving a near-fatal brain aneurysm in 1974, Jones continued creating and mentoring, earning 28 Grammy Awards and 80 nominations, making him one of the most celebrated figures in music history.
Married three times, he leaves behind seven children, including actress Rashida Jones. His legacy as a cultural and artistic icon is enduring, inspiring generations worldwide. – November 4, 2024