Michael Jackson’s Producer, Quincy Jones Dies At 91

Quincy Jones, a giant in the music industry, passed away at the age of 91, according to US media reports on Monday.

His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed the news but did not provide details about the cause of death.

Jones was known for producing some of Michael Jackson’s most famous albums and worked with many music legends, including Frank Sinatra and Count Basie. Throughout his more than seventy-year career, he was a jazz musician, composer, and influential figure in music, connecting various stars of the 20th century.

Born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Quincy Delight Jones Jr. showed talent for the piano at a young age and became friends with Ray Charles. He briefly studied at the Berklee College of Music and then hit the road with bandleader Lionel Hampton. Eventually, he moved to New York, where he became a well-known arranger for artists like Duke Ellington and Dinah Washington.

Jones also played the second trumpet on Elvis Presley’s famous song “Heartbreak Hotel” and worked with jazz great Dizzy Gillespie before moving to Paris in 1957. There, he studied under the famous composer Nadia Boulanger. His career later expanded into Hollywood, where he composed music for films and television shows.

As one of the most awarded figures in entertainment, Jones received numerous accolades, including 28 Grammy Awards. He was the first Black composer nominated for an Academy Award in the original song category in 1967 for the film “Banning.”

In addition to his production work, he started a record label, founded a hip-hop magazine, and produced the hit TV show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” where he discovered Will Smith. He also created memorable hits like “Soul Bossa Nova” and arranged music for many stars.

Quincy Jones was perhaps best known for producing Michael Jackson’s iconic albums “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” and “Bad.” Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock praised him, saying, “You name it, Quincy’s done it. He’s been able to take this genius of his and translate it into any kind of sound that he chooses.” Hancock also noted, “He is fearless. If you want Quincy to do something, you tell him that he can’t do it. And of course, he will — he’ll do it.”

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