If ever someone deserved the high honor of the title Maestro, it was Quincy Delight Jones, Jr., born in Chicago on March 14, 1933. His Earthly journey ended Sunday night, peacefully surrounded by family and loved ones at 91. His music will continue to delight music lovers for generations to come. We have not heard the last from Quincy Jones. I am sure a trove of unrecorded music in his vault will be released in the coming years. Prolific does not begin to describe his musical anthology, which spanned seven decades and many genres.
Quincy Jones’s influence on the music industry is immeasurable. He received an unprecedented 80 Grammy nominations in 28 categories, including film scores, classical, jazz, pop, R&B, African, Brazilian, and hip-hop. His 28 Grammy Awards are a testament to his impact. His list of collaborators is a Who’s Who of musical giants, with Ray Charles purportedly being the first to convince him to embrace a music career. His collaborations with these musical giants enriched his music and left an indelible mark on the industry, showcasing the breadth of his influence.
His journey began as a trumpeter, touring with jazz greats Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie. He then started composing and arranging for many of the world’s greatest singers—the list is far too long for this blog post. Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington top the list. He produced three best-selling albums for Michael Jackson: Off the Wall in 1979, Thriller in 1982, and Bad in 1987. In 1985, he showcased his compassion and generosity by assembling an incredible ensemble of singers to produce We Are the World, a project that raised money for the victims of famine in Ethiopia.
Quincy Jones’s influence extended beyond the music industry, showcasing his versatility and impact in the film industry. He composed the score for Sidney Lumet’s The Pawnbroker in 1964, the first of 40 motion pictures for which he wrote music. His work on films like In the Heat of the Night, which won the Oscar for Best Motion Picture in 1967, and Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, the same year, demonstrated his unique ability to enhance cinematic experiences through music. His impact on film scores is undeniable, as seen in his work on Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel “The Color Purple” in 1985. This project received critical acclaim and garnered 11 Academy Award nominations.
Like many of my peers growing up in the 1960s, I was consumed by Motown churning out hit song after hit song, American rock and roll, and the British invasion led by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. I did not get into jazz until I met my second wife, Cathy Wright, who introduced me to Charlie Parker. Then came CTI Records with Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Bob James, George Benson, and Grover Washington, to name a few. Amid this burgeoning creativity, Quincy Jones grabbed my ear and heart with his album, “The Dude.” It was my introduction to singers Patti Austin and James Ingram, who became two of my favorites. Each track was captivating. It was the rhythm that grabbed me.
I soon discovered that I had missed so much music. He never stopped delivering spellbinding music, including Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration, a Grammy Award-winning compilation of Christmas songs that includes a joyous rendition of George Frederic Handel’s masterpiece. Put this on your Christmas music must-list if you have not heard it.
We have been looking forward to this day when Americans will head to the ballot boxes to determine the nation’s future for the next four years, if not beyond. I will hopefully plan for a future led by Madam President Kamala Harris with my home filled with the beautiful music created by the Maestro Quincy Jones with the regret that he did not live to see a woman of color in the White House.
The family released a statement. “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ 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. He is truly one of a kind, and we will miss him dearly; 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. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”