His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that Jones died peacefully last night, surrounded by family at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles.
In a family statement, they shared: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we announce the passing of our father and brother, Quincy Jones. Although this is a tremendous loss, we celebrate his remarkable life, knowing there will never be another like him.”
Jones’s groundbreaking career saw him rise as one of the first Black executives in Hollywood, creating an unparalleled musical legacy. He toured with Count Basie and Lionel Hampton, arranged music for legends like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, and composed soundtracks for Roots and In The Heat of the Night.
Among his many achievements, Jones organized President Bill Clinton’s inaugural celebration and oversaw the all-star recording of “We Are the World” in 1985 for African famine relief. The 28-time Grammy winner is especially celebrated for his collaborations with Michael Jackson, which helped define the singer’s transformation into the “King of Pop.”
In his final Instagram post yesterday, Jones shared a heartfelt birthday tribute to his daughter Martina, writing, “Happy Birthday to my Tina Beena! So proud to be your papa! Big hug, I love you eternally.”
Jones is survived by his daughters Rashida, Jolie, Rachel, Martina, Kidada, and Kenya Kinski-Jones; his son Quincy Jones III; his brother Richard Jones; and sisters Theresa Frank and Margie Jay.
