Quincy Jones, 28-time Grammy winner and producer of Michael Jackson's “Thriller,” dies at 91

Quincy Jones, the preeminent arranger, composer, bandleader and all-around pop impresario of the modern music age who produced Michael Jackson's “Thriller,” has died, according to a family statement. He was 91.

Jones died Sunday evening at his home in Bel Air. Known in the entertainment industry as “Q,” Jones was one of the most influential figures in modern music with a seven-decade career that spanned a wide range of genres and megastars such as Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin and countless others touched.

“Tonight it is with full but broken hearts that we must bear the news of the passing of our father and brother Quincy Jones. And while this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life he led and know there will never be another like him,” the family statement said. “He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him greatly; It is a source of comfort and great pride to us to know that the love and joy that was the essence of his being was shared with the world through everything he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”

Jones was born in Chicago in 1933 and grew up in Seattle. His early years were tough, but he found a way out in music. He studied music theory and composition as a trumpet player and then attended Berklee College of Music on a scholarship, but left before completing his studies to go on tour with bandleader Lionel Hampton.

During the 1950s, Jones worked with jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles and Count Basie and built his reputation as an arranger and conductor.

Jones won 28 Grammy Awards and was nominated for several Oscars. Six of his Grammys went to his own 1990 jazz album “Back on the Block” and three went to Producer of the Year.

But his collaboration with Jackson cemented his unique brand of behind-the-scenes superstardom: He first worked with the King of Pop in 1979 on the groundbreaking solo record “Off the Wall,” which sold more than 20 million copies. The 1982 sequel – “Thriller” – was the definitive pop record of its time, winning Album of the Year, Record of the Year (for “Billie Jean”) and earning the informal title of best-selling record of all time. Global estimates for “Thriller” are over 100 million copies sold worldwide.

Jones produced the 1985 U.S. Africa supergroup megahit “We Are the World,” whose sales helped alleviate famine in Africa. Jones co-wrote the song, which played on a loop this year, with Lionel Richie.

He became the first black composer to score a major motion picture with “The Pawnbroker” in 1964 and was subsequently nominated seven times for Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Song. Jones was also nominated for a Tony Award in 2006 as producer of The Color Purple.

He leaves behind his seven children.

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