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Benztown has released an audio tribute to the legendary music producer Quincy Jones, who died on Sunday, Nov. 3, at age 91.
Jones worked with top artists, including Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin and Donna Summer, shaping the sound of pop, jazz and R&B across decades. His collaboration with Michael Jackson produced the 1982 album “Thriller,” which remains the best-selling record of all time, “Off the Wall” and “Bad,” defining the modern pop landscape. In 1985, he joined Jackson, Lionel Richie and producer Michael Omartian to co-produce “We Are the World,” a charity single that raised millions for Ethiopian famine relief.
Jones was also a prolific composer for film, credited with scores for movies like “The Pawnbroker,” “In Cold Blood” and “The Italian Job.” His work as a jazz musician and arranger put him alongside jazz giants such as Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie. He was a multi-instrumentalist, with trumpet and piano as his primary instruments, and served as a bandleader during the height of big band jazz.
He further expanded his media influence by co-founding Qwest Broadcasting and partnering with Time Inc. to create “Vibe” magazine in 1993, a publication dedicated to Black music and culture. He supported social causes throughout his career, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Jazz Foundation of America, and mentored young musicians and producers.
Jones’s contributions to music earned him 80 Grammy nominations, with 28 wins, placing him among the top Grammy award winners. His impact on music spans generations, leaving a legacy in pop, jazz and film music that continues to inspire the industry.
You can listen to the Benztown audio tribute here.
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