Quincy Jones, Legendary Producer and Music Pioneer, Dies at 91

Iconic music producer Quincy Jones has passed away at age 91.

Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed the heartbreaking loss, stating that he died peacefully on Sunday, November 3rd, at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family shared in a poignant statement via AP.  “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

The loss is profound for the family and many who admired him. Jones is survived by his children—Rashida, Kidada, Kenya, Quincy III, Jolie, Martina, and Rachel—and his beloved grandchildren, Isaiah Jones Koenig, Quincy Renzo Delight Jones IV, and Nea Jones. Among those mourning him deeply is Quincy Brown, his godson, who was named after the music legend himself.

Jones’s musical legacy is unlike any other. With 28 Grammy wins, he is the second most Grammy-awarded artist of all time and has received a record 80 nominations since 1961. His achievements include multiple Grammy Awards for Producer of the Year and Grammys for Album and Song of the Year.

Jones survived harrowing near-death experiences in his life, including two life-threatening brain aneurysms in 1974, which he miraculously overcame. At just 41 years old, he was told he had a slim one-in-a-hundred chance of surviving.  Thankfully, he overcame these health issues and continued his rise to prominence in the entertainment industry.

Born in Chicago on March 14th, 1933, Jones initially rose as a trumpet player with jazz legends like Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie. His brilliance as a producer and arranger played a crucial role in the careers of Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Paul Simon. He produced Jackson’s legendary “Beat It” and even brought in the late Eddie Van Halen for the unforgettable guitar solo. Jones’ music legacy includes 13 Hot 100 hits and numerous Top 20 albums, leaving an extraordinary mark on the industry.