Quincy Jones, a music production icon, dies aged 91Quincy Jones, the legendary producer and music biz titan whose collaborators include Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra has died aged 91.
Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, says he passed away on Sunday night (3 November) at his home in Bel Air, surrounded by his family, reports Sky News.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’s passing,” the family said in a statement. “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 was a towering figure in American music, revered for his work with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie and Celine Dion. His career spanned over seven decades, during which he produced an extraordinary catalogue of music, from chart-topping hits to critically acclaimed albums.
A 28-time Grammy winner, Jones was best known as the producer of Jackson’s Off the Wall, Bad, and Thriller albums, the latter of which remains the best-selling record of all time. He also composed the soundtrack to more than 50 films and TV programmes, had numerous chart hits under his own name, and was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time magazine.
“My philosophy as a businessman has always come from the same roots as my personal credo: take talented people on their own terms and treat them fairly and with respect, no matter who they are or where they come from,” Jones said in his autobiography.
Jones’ groundbreaking work not only reshaped modern music but also broke barriers for Black Americans in the entertainment industry. He was promoted as vice president of Mercury Records in 1961, becoming the first Black American to hold the position at a major label. In 1968, Jones became the first Black American to receive two Oscar nominations in the same year.

There was little Quincy did not do in his years. Beyond his musical achievements, Jones was deeply committed to philanthropy, having co-produced the historic charity single We Are the World in 1985, which featured an all-star lineup of artists and raised millions for famine victims in Ethiopia. He also co-founded Vibe magazine with producer David Salzman, which placed a deep focus on hip-hop and R&B culture.
Jones is survived by his seven children, including actress Rashida Jones.
Tributes have poured in from around the world following news of Jones’ passing.
Playwright Jeremy O’Harris said on X that Jones’ “contributions to American culture were limitless”, while artist Otto Von Biz Markie remembered the late legend as “the greatest producer & soundtrack composer of all-time.”

RIP Quincy Jones, who defined the highest level of musical genius for 5 generations. Perhaps the greatest producer & soundtrack composer of all-time. The most quotable, the coolest, who made everything from Thriller to Vibe to the Fresh Prince. Who did it all, better than anyone. pic.twitter.com/gU8PD1gsCN
— Otto Von Biz Markie (@Passionweiss) November 4, 2024

What couldn’t he do?
Quincy Jones, literally born when the limits on how big a black boy could dream were unfathomably high, taught us that the limit does not exist.
His contributions to American culture were limitless. First black person nominated for pic.twitter.com/d71OQAY0Yl
— Jeremy O. Harris (@jeremyoharris) November 4, 2024

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