Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones’ odyssey began on the rough-and-tumble streets of Chicago’s South Side. But even under the worst of conditions, the drive and passion for music moved Jones forward. By his teens, he was a prodigy in jazz, playing the trumpet and building the beginnings of what would be a barrier-shattering career.
Jones made history in Hollywood as one of the first Black executives during a time when Hollywood was still finding it quite hard to look past segregation. He was in high demand because of his rare ability to merge genres and push the boundaries of musical convention. From jazz and soul to rock and pop, Jones’ musical vision brought together artists and styles from across the spectrum.
The work Jones did with Michael Jackson on albums such as Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad defined popular music. Both of them came together in effort and redefined pop music; merging elements from rock to funk into R&B, they created hits such as “Billie Jean” and “Thriller.” Those albums took over the world, with Thriller selling over 20 million copies in its maiden year alone and setting Jackson as the “King of Pop.”
Aside from working with Jackson, Jones has collaborated with an entire pantheon of artists. His work with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Count Basie alone showed his range. Be it an eloquent ballad or a beeping, swinging number, Jones always managed to bring the best out of his collaborators. With Sinatra, he arranged the timeless classic Fly Me to the Moon, showcasing his talent for combining style and sophistication.
Jones had a reach that extended far beyond music. His involvement with the We Are the World 1985 single for African famine relief is exemplary of Jones’ commitment to humanitarian causes. This star-studded recording, under the production of Jones, would raise millions and prove just how the universal language of music can bring people together for a cause so far-reaching. Co-author Lionel Richie called him “the master orchestrator,” an apt salute for one who orchestrated efforts as effortlessly as he did across diverse personalities and styles.
Jones’ work was not only recognized but also feted on the world stage. With 28 Grammy Awards, an honorary Academy Award, an Emmy, and high distinctions of France’s Legion d’Honneur, his impact spanned decades and borders. His memoirs entitled Q released in 2001 have listed his lifetime of honors, taking 18 pages to cover his impact on music, film, and television.
Later on, Jones was still able to inspire through documentaries like Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones and the 2018 film Quincy, directed by daughter Rashida Jones. It is a legacy around every corner in the music industry, celebrated all over the world.