Tributes from industry luminaries and executives are pouring in for legendary producer, arranger and composer Quincy Jones, who died Sunday (Nov. 3) at the age of 91. A jazz sideman who evolved into a bandleader, label executive, film composer, TV and movie producer and, of course, popular music savant as studio maestro to Michael Jackson, Jones’ considerable artistic wingspan during his seven-decade career — his picture should be in the dictionary under “multi-hyphenate” — will rightly be lauded by every nook of the entertainment world.
“Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity,” his family said following his passing.
Here is a list of reactions, which we’ll update as they come in:
Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall (CEO and COO, Warner Chappell Music): “We join billions of music fans around the world, as we mourn the loss of the great Quincy Jones, and celebrate his immeasurable contributions to culture. Words like titan, genius, GOAT, will be used today and he deserves it all. Quincy was a producer, artist, composer, and activist, but above all, he was a songwriter. He leaves behind an extraordinarily powerful, diverse body of work that will light the way for future generations. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (he was inducted in 2013): “Quincy Jones excelled at every role he took on. Producer, arranger, trumpeter, executive, and more, Jones won 28 Grammy Awards and guided historic sessions with such giants as Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, and Michael Jackson in addition to his groundbreaking work in film and television. Jones established the standard for innovation; accomplished and successful in every facet of the music industry, he set the model for the modern music mogul.”
Michael Huppe (president and CEO, SoundExchange): “Huge loss yesterday to the music world. A seminal force. From Michael Jackson to Count Basie to Frank Sinatra.”
Nile Rodgers (guitarist, producer and co-founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund):
TIDAL (the streaming service): “Rest in peace to Quincy Jones, who, as a producer, film scorer and solo artist, quite simply did it all. He has been sampled by Mobb Deep and the Pharcyde; composed the music for ‘The Color Purple’; and produced both “We Are the World” and Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller,’ the latter being the best-selling album of all time.”
