It isn’t breaking news to say that Quincy Jones stands as arguably the greatest producer of all-time. He’s had a hand in several projects other the years, particularly his collaboration with Michael Jackson on the album Thriller, which remains the best-selling record in history. Sometimes, Jones’ musical accomplishments outside of MJ’s magnum opus sometimes go overlooked; when truthfully, he has one of the most versatile bodies of work in music history.
Long before those sessions with Jackson, Jones was already a seasoned entertainer. In the early 1950s he toured Europe with bandleader Lionel Hampton, gaining early experience as a trumpeter, arranger, and composer. By the end of that decade he had begun working with Frank Sinatra, helping to create material that would eventually appear on recordings with Sinatra and the Count Basie orchestra. Jones also broke ground behind the scenes, becoming a vice president at Mercury Records in 1961, a milestone that made him the first Black executive to hold that role at the label.
His influence extended far beyond the recording studio. Jones composed scores for major films including In the Heat of the Night and created television themes that reached millions of viewers each week. The instantly recognizable music for the sitcom Sanford and Son is one example of how his work crossed into everyday life.
Because Jones worked across so many genres and roles, some of his most memorable songs are not always immediately associated with him. In celebration of his birthday, here are several records that were created by Q, even if listeners may not realize it at first.
“Soul Bossa Nova” (1962)
Leslie Gore – “It’s My Party” (1964)
Frank Sinatra and Count Basie – “Fly Me To The Moon” (1964)
Ray Charles – “In The Heat Of The Night” (1967)
“Sanford & Son Theme” (The Streetbeater) (1973)
“Summer In The City” (1973)
The Brothers Johnson – “Stomp” (1980)
George Benson – “Give Me The Night” (1980)
