Quincy Jones was more than just a name we’d see on an album cover. Growing up in the ‘80s, I didn’t realize how one person could be behind so much of the music that defined us. But Quincy was everywhere, working quietly in the background as a composer, conductor, arranger, and producer, shaping the sounds that connected us. Looking back, his influence is woven through so many of the songs that made us dance, dream, and come together.
Quincy’s journey started with jazz, where he first met Ray Charles, a lifelong friend and collaborator.
He shared the stage with Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong, soaking in the lessons of these legends, blending the soul of jazz with something all his own. He arranged for Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, bringing out the richness and their voices that generations would fall in love with. And he worked with Little Richard and Sammy Davis Jr. Bringing their big personalities to life through his arrangements.
Quincy had a gift for bringing out the heart and soul of an artist, no matter their style. He didn’t stop there. Quincy moved across genres, working with the likes of Tony Bennett, Shaka Khan, and Donna Summer, helping them shape sounds that were bold, smooth, and unforgettable.
He even arranged it’s my party for Leslie Gore, showing that he could create a hit that would top the pop charts just as easily as he would create jazz masterpieces. He understood each artist’s voice, their essence, and he built his arrangements around them, making every note count. And then there was his work with Michael Jackson, off the wall, Thriller, bad. Those albums didn’t just change pop music, they changed culture.
Quincy helped bring Billie Jean, Thriller; and beat it to life, giving us songs that were bigger than anything we’d ever heard before. Watching those videos felt like an event. We gather around the TV, spell bound, not knowing then that Quincy was the genius behind it all.
Quincy’s collaborations continue to push boundaries. He brought George Benson smooth jazz to new heights and created timeless hits with Patty Austin and James Ingram. And he arranged for Frank Sinatra. Q, as Sinatra fondly called him, who trusted him to bring out the best in his music. Quincy’s touch brought warmth, soul, and depth, no matter who he worked with.
But Quincy’s legacy goes beyond his work in the studio. In 1985, he organized we are the world, gathering artists from every quarter of the industry, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, and so many more, to record a song that raised millions for famine relief.
It was more than a song, it was a testament to the power of music to bring people together for a cause. He even casted Oprah Winfrey for her first movie role, The Color Purple, and Will Smith in the TV series The Prince of Bel Air.
And throughout his life, Quincy’s heart was just as big as his talent. He gave back to his community, supported young musicians, advocated for education, and championed Equality. He knew that his success wasn’t just for him, it was a gift meant to be shared.
He lived with a generosity that touched countless lives, using his influence to make the world better in many ways we may never fully know. Looking back, I realized Quincy wasn’t just a producer or an arranger. He was a guide, someone who used his gifts to help others find their own voices.
His music was the soundtrack to our lives, to our families, to our friendships. For every laugh, every tear, every dance, and every late night sing along, Quincy was there with us, giving us memories to keep forever.
Quincy Jones, thank you for everything. Thank you for the music, thank you for the memories, thank you for the gift of moments we’ll hold close always. You may be gone, but you’ll always be with us in every note and every beat. Goodbye, Quincy. You’ve given us a legacy that will echo on forever.
Contact