Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with Michael Jackson and ...

4 Nov 2024

Quincy Jones, the music producer and composer, has died at the age of 91.

Jones worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and many other artists.

Quincy Jones - Figure 1
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Among his best-known credits was as the producer of Jackson's historic Thriller album.

Jones oversaw the all-star recording of the 1985 charity record We Are The World.

He also composed the soundtrack to the hit 1969 British film The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine.

Image: Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. Pic: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP

Image: Naomi Campbell, left, and Claudia Schiffer flank Quincy Jones. Pic: AP

His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed Jones died at his Los Angeles home on Sunday surrounded by his family.

Quincy Jones - Figure 2
Photo Sky News

In a statement, his family said: "Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones's passing.

"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."

Read more on Quincy Jones:His top collaborationsWhy his musical approval mattered to the stars

Image: Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Pic: AP

His family added Jones was "truly one of a kind" who they would "miss dearly".

Quincy Jones - Figure 3
Photo Sky News

"We take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created," they added.

"Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones's heart will beat for eternity."

Image: Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton. Pic: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP

His career, which spans more than 75 years, saw him achieve 28 Grammy award wins out of 80 nominations.

He was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time magazine.

Lionel Richie, who co-wrote We Are The World and was among the charity single's featured singers, called Jones "the master orchestrator".

Quincy Jones - Figure 4
Photo Sky News

Sir Michael Caine is among those who have paid tribute to Jones, describing him as a "titan in the musical world" and a "wonderful and unique human being".

DJ David Guetta, who met Jones at the Grammys, described him as a "legend" whose legacy would "continue to inspire generations of artists to come".

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Jones, a father of seven, was married three times to Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Andersson and Peggy Lipton.

His children include music producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones, known for Parks And Recreation and the US version of The Office.

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