Quincy Jones, an American music industry giant known for his work with stars such as Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, died on Sunday at age 91. According to his publicist, Arnold Robinson, Jones died peacefully at his Bel Air home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family and loved ones.
Having created one of the most illustrious and versatile portfolios of 20th-century music, Jones is celebrated for producing Off the Wall, Bad, and Thriller—the latter being the best-selling album of all time— for Michael Jackson during the 1980s.
His production style helped shape the sound of modern pop and R&B music, bringing together elements of jazz, funk, and soul in a way that resonated worldwide. Beyond Jackson, he produced for iconic artists such as Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, and Donna Summer, contributing to countless hits that defined an era.
Jones’s career spanned more than seven decades, beginning as a talented jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and arranger in the 1950s. His jazz roots and deep understanding of orchestration opened doors for him across genres, eventually leading to a successful career in television and film production.
In 1990, he founded Quincy Jones Entertainment, bringing groundbreaking projects to both big and small screens. Notably, he produced scores for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air TV sitcom that launched Will Smith’s career and became a cultural touchstone in the U.S. for its humor and authentic portrayals of Black family life.
In recognition of his incredible influence, Jones earned 30 Grammy Awards and was honored with a record 80 Grammy nominations throughout his career, making him one of the most awarded artists in Grammy history.
Jones also received an Emmy Award and an honorary Oscar for his contributions to the music and entertainment industry.
Jones’s legacy endures through his extensive contributions to music, film, and television, forever shaping American popular culture and inspiring generations of artists. His unique ability to bridge genres and create timeless sounds has secured his place as one of the most respected and innovative figures in music history.