Quincy Delight Jones, a towering figure in the music and entertainment industry, has passed away at the age of 91.
His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that Jones died peacefully on Sunday night at his home in Bel Air, 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 stated. "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."
Jones's illustrious career spanned over seven decades, during which he collaborated with some of the most iconic figures in music history, including Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Will Smith. He is perhaps best known for producing Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking album 'Thriller,' which sold over 20 million copies in 1983 alone and remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Beyond his work with Jackson, Jones was instrumental in the creation of the 1985 charity single 'We Are The World,' bringing together an all-star ensemble to raise funds for humanitarian aid.
His pioneering spirit was evident early in his career when, in 1968, he became the first African American nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for ‘The Eyes of Love’ from the film ‘Banning.’
In 1971, he broke another barrier as the first African American to serve as the musical director and conductor of the Academy Awards. His contributions were further recognized in 1995 when he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, marking yet another first for an African American. Jones's remarkable achievements in music earned him 28 Grammy Awards out of 80 nominations, a testament to his profound influence and innovation.
Time magazine honored him as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century, underscoring his lasting impact on the genre and beyond.
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