Last Updated on September 16, 2022
The question of “when did Quincy Jones die” may cause some confusion. Many people may think the famous composer died at age 53, but the truth is that Quincy Jones died much earlier. His brain suffered a fatal aneurysm in 1974, which limited his work schedule and forced him to spend more time with his family. He attended a memorial service along with his neurologist. Performing artists included Richard Pryor, Marvin Gaye, Sarah Vaughe, and Sidney Poiter.
Quincy Jones’ childhood
If you have a passion for jazz, you can read about Quincy Jones’ childhood. Born on March 14, 1933, Quincy Delight Jones, Jr. was raised in Chicago, Illinois by his father and new wife, Sarah. Sarah had three children, including Quincy and Jones, and the family moved to Seattle when Quincy was in his teens. At the age of twelve, he began learning the trumpet, which he would eventually master. During his college days, Quincy toured the world with Lionel Hampton, Dinah Washington, and Tommy Dorsey.
When he reached stardom, Quincy Jones began his social activism. He supported Martin Luther King, Jr., and was a co-founder of the Institute for Black American Music. He has also organized the Black Arts Festival in Chicago, and in the 1970s, he formed the Quincy Jones Workshops to help inner-city youth. Now, he has made many positive contributions to the world. Although he may seem a humble man, his impact is truly global.
The work ethic and loving strength of his father were instrumental to Jones’ success. His father’s rhyming motto urged him to “never leave a task unfinished.” His hard work paid off, and he earned a scholarship to Seattle University, later transferring to the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He was also a popular performer in the local jazz club, Izzy Ort’s Bar & Grill. He cited Ray Charles and Bunny Campbell as influences, and began writing and performing music for movie producers and other artists.
His career as a composer
While Quincy Jones’ career as a composer and recording artist died when he passed away, his legacy lives on in other ways. His social activism began during the 1960s, and he supported Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He also founded the Institute for Black American Music, which raises funds to build a national library of African American art and music. In addition to these humanitarian endeavors, Jones founded the Chicago-based Black Arts Festival, and in the 1970s, he founded the Quincy Jones Workshops for inner-city youth to learn about the arts.
After becoming the music director of Mercury Records in 1962, Jones went on to become the first African-American executive at the company. During his tenure, he composed and arranged music for a number of Mercury artists, including Andy Williams, Peggy Lee, and Aretha Franklin. In fact, his first major motion picture score was the title track for Sidney Lumet’s The Pawnbroker, which he arranged himself for the film.
His career as a composer spanned over six decades. He won 27 Grammy Awards and was nominated for 79 more. He was able to cite some of the greatest musicians of his time, including Paulinho da Costa and Ivan Lins. In a moving tribute, Jones cited Paulinho da Costa as one of the “greatest” composers of the past 20 years.
His humanitarian work
Many people may not realize that Quincy Jones’ humanitarian work did not end when he passed away. The Oscar-winning director, producer, and singer has been active in the world for years. He supported the People United to Save Humanity and Operation Breadbasket campaigns. He co-founded the annual Black Arts Festival in Chicago and donated to establish a national library dedicated to African-American art and music. Jones also supported the Smithsonian Institution, serving as a member of the council of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
His “We Are the World” campaign expressed his concerns for the continent of Africa. Through his Listen Up Foundation, he sponsored trips to South Africa to help disadvantaged youths build homes and learn valuable lessons. He also encouraged world leaders to reduce the technological divide in Africa. This was the last time he spoke about his humanitarian work, but his legacy will remain. It is a great loss that Quincy Jones was no longer here to continue the work he started.
Quincy Jones’ humanitarian work began in the 1960s when he was active in social activism. He backed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and founded the Institute for Black American Music, which raises money to create a national library of African-American art and music. He also founded the Black Arts Festival in Chicago and the Quincy Jones Workshops in the 1970s to educate inner-city youth.
His relationship with Miles Davis
In the months before his death, Quincy Jones conducted a concert featuring Miles Davis. This recording won a Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance. The album was recorded at Montreux, Switzerland, and featured arrangements by Gil Evans. Jones’ relationship with Miles Davis was strained by the singer’s inability to make the tour. Quincy’s subsequent death forced him to end the tour.
While growing up in Chicago, Jones was involved with jazz, gospel, and various other types of black music. He saw a connection between jazz and black music, and he also believed that artists should seek to gain popularity while remaining sincere. Miles Davis, who had a long-term relationship with Jones, also spoke highly of the pianist. Quincy’s love of music grew, and he began studying the history of black music.
After graduating from Seattle University, Quincy Jones was awarded a scholarship from a music school. However, he knew that staying in Seattle would not help him achieve his artistic goals, and so he applied for a scholarship at the Schillinger House of Music in Boston. Once there, Jones moved to New York City. In the years following, his career flourished and he was a popular guest at jazz clubs and on the radio.
After a long and fruitful partnership, Quincy Jones was able to become a mentor to Miles Davis. The legendary pianist was deeply touched by Jones’ friendship and admired the master carpenter. The renowned drummer’s relationship with Jones lasted for more than half a century. It was also one of the last moments of their friendship, and this bond was evident in their final performances.
His relationship with his daughter Kidada
Quincy Jones and his actress wife Peggy Lipton have a complicated relationship with their daughter, Kidada Jones. Quincy Jones is the legendary music producer and Peggy Lipton is a talented actress. They raised their daughter in Bel-Air, Los Angeles. Kidada, now 33, has been romantically involved with rapper Tupac and has a history with the music industry. She is also a fashion designer, having designed clothing for some of the most prominent athletes and celebrities.
His relationship with Kidada Jones was rocky at first, but it eventually went well. She was engaged to Tupac Shakur for two years, but it didn’t last, and the couple was separated over spiritual differences. Kidada had her own career as an actress, like her mother Rashida, and acted in movies like Black and White, Thicker Than Water, and Intern. Though she eventually married an actor, Kidada turned to fashion, which was not her first choice.
Quincy Jones and Kidada are close and often share a love of acting. Kidada has one sister, Rashida Leah Jones, who is an actress and a screenwriter. The couple has two half-siblings, Quincy Delight Jones III and Martina Jones. Quincy is also involved in film production. Kidada has five other half-siblings.
His relationship with Jeri Caldwell
Quincy Jones is an American composer, film producer, and record producer. His daughter, Jolie Jones Levine, is his only child. Quincy had several relationships with different women throughout his career. His relationship with Jeri Caldwell was strained, but they made it work. In 2002, he died in a car accident. Jeri Caldwell, a former model, became his replacement. She is now a successful jazz singer.
Quincy Jones and Jeri Caldwell were high school sweethearts. They married in the year 1957 and were together for nine years. They divorced in the mid-1960s. Their daughter Jolie Levine was born during this time. Jones and Jeri Caldwell were divorced in the year 1967. His relationship with Jeri Caldwell was rocky and their daughter Jolie was born during this time.
His father was a semi-professional baseball player. His parents immigrated to Chicago as part of the Great Migration. They became bankers and apartment complex managers. Quincy’s paternal grandfather was Welsh. His younger brother Lloyd was an engineer. His mother and a neighbor, Lucy Jackson, introduced him to music. He listened to stride piano when he was a boy. His mother and his neighbor introduced him to jazz.
His wife, Jeri Caldwell, says Jones had a’special place in his heart’ for the jazz musician. The couple’s relationship ended after Jones was named chairman of Quincy/David Salzman Entertainment. The company now produces motion pictures, television shows, magazines, and media technology. He is an honorary director of the Jazz Foundation of America. The Jazz Foundation has helped elderly jazz musicians save their homes and lives.
About The Author
Fernánda Esteban is a food fanatic. She can't go more than a few hours without eating, and she loves trying new foods from all over the world. Her friends know that they can always count on her for a good conversation, and she's an animal lover who will never turn down an opportunity to pet a dog or cat. Fernánda also enjoys learning about random facts, and she's a social media practitioner who loves to share what she knows with others.