Music Legend Quincy Jones Dies Aged 91

Quincy Jones, one of the world’s most influential producers and musicians has passed away at age 91. The man who produced the world’s highest selling album, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, created one of the world’s most enduring jazz tunes in Soul Bossa Nova, and helmed the production company behind The Fresh Prince of Bel Air had one of the entertainment industry’s most storied and awarded careers.

His cause of death has not been revealed, but in a statement his family said:

"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."

Becoming a renowned jazz musician and arranger in the 50s, Jones got his start in Lionel Hampton’s band and worked with several jazz orchestras, becoming one of the most in-demand musicians and then producers in the 50s and 60s American music industry.

He was promoted to vice-president of Mercury Records in 1961 becoming the first African American to hold that position. His solo records included Soul Bossa Nova, later included in the Austin Powers movies and creating a whole new generation of fans.

His music production production career saw him becoming the ears behind hits like Lesley Gore’s It’s My Party and Judy’s Turn To Cry and several of Frank Sinatra’s classic collaborations with Count Basie including classics like Fly Me To The Moon. He was the first black artist to be nominated for an Academy Award in 1968 for his work on the films Banning and In Cold Blood. In 1971 he became the first black musical director of the Academy Awards.

In the 1970s he formed QWest Productions, producing The Wiz film as a vehicle for Michael Jackson and several albums for Sinatra and Diana Ross.

His work with Michael Jackson in the 1980s took him to legendary status, helming Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad, Jackson’s three bestselling titles and in 1985 he produced the charity hit We Are The World.

In the 90s Quincy Jones Entertainment was formed with Time Warner, pivoting Jones to the world of television producing shows like the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and the Jenny Jones Show.

In 2013 he was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame after becoming the third most Grammy-nominated artist in history.

Jones was married three times and has seven children. He will be remembered as a pioneer, breaking the glass ceiling for black artists and producing some of the most iconic artists and records of all time.