Quincy Jones, a world-famous musician and composer most prominently known for writing Michael Jackson’s albums Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad, has passed away at 91. He passed away in his home on November 3rd, as reported by his family through Associated Press.
Quincy Jones housed a 70-year long career, spanning from trumpet playing to composing big time pieces. His big band, jazz, bebop, gospel, soul and blues works touched the hearts and souls of millions. Before working with Michael Jackson, Jones had carved a noteworthy career, working through 60’s bubblegum pop and movie scores, as well as conducting for Frank Sinatra’s band.
Jones was always two steps ahead of the producing world. As he worked with various big-time voices, he was notorious for his forward-thinking productions. Jones commonly included various unique mixes, finding the best track for artists before putting his own spin on it. For Michael Jackson’s albums, Jones incorporated the newest technologies of the time to ensure his work was transformative, leading those very songs to still be on the radio three decades later.
Music was a string throughout Jones’ life for a long, long time. Born in 1933, he and his younger brother Lloyd lived with their grandmother as their mother battled mental illness. Shortly after, they followed their father to Washington State at the start of the Second World War. According to Jones’s autobiography Q, music was his peace from just 11 years old, when he knew music was the calling for the rest of his life.
Picking up the trumpet, Jones quickly began composing pieces for his jazz big band. At 13, he begged Clark Terry to give him lessons and started playing with Ray Charles at jazz clubs at just 14. Attending Berklee School of Music – then named the Schillinger House – Jones sparked his NYC jazz career, touring the U.S. and Europe with Hampton’s Band.
After years of making history, Quincy Jones is one of the most decorated musicians of all time, winning 28 Grammy awards and a record 79 nominations. No matter the awards, Quincy Jones has made his mark on music forever, changing the world of jazz, one lick at a time.
