Renowned musical genius Quincy Jones passes away at the age of 91
Quincy Delight Jones Jr., a pioneering figure in the music industry, was born in Chicago on 14 March 1933. His career, which spanned seven decades and multiple genres, came to an end on 25 April 2021, at the age of 91.
Jones' early years saw him move to Paris in the 1950s, where he immersed himself in the post-war classical music scene. During his studies, he worked with Igor Stravinsky and studied under Nadia Boulanger, a significant figure in 20th-century music composition, as well as Olivier Messiaen, an avant-garde composer.
Throughout his career, Jones demonstrated a remarkable versatility, collaborating with numerous influential stars of the last century. These collaborations included Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, and Michael Jackson. He also worked with Pablo Picasso, showcasing his ability to transcend artistic boundaries.
Jones gained a reputation as a highly skilled and versatile composer and arranger, writing over 30 film scores, including the score for The Italian Job. One of his most iconic works is 'Soul Bossa Nova', which was later used as the theme tune to Austin Powers.
In the 1980s, Jones served as the artistic advisor for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, demonstrating his continued relevance in the world of music and arts. In his later years, he mentored cross-genre phenomenon Jacob Collier.
Quincy Jones spoke 26 languages and believed in the universality of music, stating that there are 12 notes that have been floating around the universe for 720 years, the same notes that Brahms, Bach, and Beethoven had.
Jones' work was characterized by lush strings, catchy melodies, and cutting-edge production techniques. His mother, Sarah Frances, was a bank officer and an apartment manager, while his father, Quincy Jones Sr., was a semi-professional baseball player and a carpenter.
Quincy Jones, a prominent figure in music for the past 50 years, has passed away at the age of 91. His legacy will continue to inspire musicians and music lovers for generations to come.
