Quincy Jones, Legendary Music Producer, Dies At 91 Surrounded By Family

Heaven's Music Hall of Fame has a new member, the iconic multi-hyphenate star Quincy Jones.

The record producer was one of the greatest acts to dominate the 20th century, working with numerous renowned artists and creating a jazz frenzy. With over 70 years of achievements, his death leaves a gaping hole in the music scene.

Quincy Jones took his final breath on Sunday, November 3, at 91, a year after he suffered a severe reaction to food. His family and publicist confirmed his death via statements expressing their grief and need for privacy.

Arnold Robinson, Jones' publicist, confirmed he died on Sunday night at his Bel Air home. He revealed the icon was surrounded by family in his last moments, sentiments his loved ones echoed in a statement, noting:

"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."

Jones' family added that there would "never be another like him." Robinson noted they were grateful to fans for their condolences but stressed the need for privacy amid their grief.

Instead of flowers, Jones' family asked fans to honor his memory by celebrating his love for jazz music with donations to The Jazz Foundation of America. The late musician dominated the 20th century as one of its greatest jazz artists.

Jones' achievements continued with his decades-long career as a composer, record producer, artist, film producer, arranger, conductor, and instrumentalist. He was also credited as a TV producer, record company executive, magazine founder, and multimedia entrepreneur, per TMZ.

As a producer, Jones cemented his name in history by working with multiple renowned musicians like Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Will Smith. He created three hit albums for MJ: "Off the Wall," "Bad," and the best-selling album of all time, "Thriller."

Jones' rise to fame began in the 1950s as a jazz arranger and conductor before he transitioned to Pop music and film scores. In 1968, he became the first African American nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "The Eyes of Love" from the film "Banning."

He broke records again as the first African American to be nominated twice for an Academy Award in the same year, thanks to his second nomination for Best Original Score.

Jones produced and conducted the popular charity song "We Are the World" to raise funds for famine victims in Ethiopia in 1985, per Geneastar.

Jones' record-breaking achievements at the Academy Awards continued in 1971 when he became the first African American to be the musical director and conductor of the event.

He broke another record in 1995 as the first African American to receive the academy's Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Jones and sound designer Willie D. Burton were tied as the second most Oscar-nominated African American, with seven nominations each.

Jones' decades-long milestones were honored in 2013 with his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category. Additionally, he won 28 Grammy Awards out of 80 nominations and a Grammy Legend Award in 1992.

A year before his death, The Blast reported that Jones had suffered an adverse reaction to food. Paramedics swiftly responded to the distress call at his Los Angeles residence in June 2023 and transported him to the emergency room.

Fortunately, doctors cleared Jones following an examination, and he did not suffer any consequences. His rep reassured concerned fans that the producer had been conscious throughout the ordeal and remained in "great spirits" during his recovery.

While the details of his 2023 health scare were kept under wraps, Jones got candid about his past health battles in the 2018 documentary "Quincy." He revealed he suffered two brain aneurysms in 1974 that sparked two surgeries and six steel pins within his skull.

Unaware he would soon join her in heaven, Jones honored the late singer Tina Turner in May 2023. He shared a black-and-white picture of the pair in a warm embrace alongside a touching tribute.

"Ms. Tina Turner was the one & ONLY Tina Turner, & I'm immensely honored that we got to be on this planet simultaneously. What a woman & what a soul…The best to ever do it," Jones penned.

"From working together on music to having her on 'We Are The World,' the memories are full of love & layered with laughter," the record producer recalled. He hailed her as a "powerful woman who weathered much of life" and noted how much he missed her.

Rest in peace, Quincy Jones.