Quincy Jones was a god among producers. Five ways he revolutionized music

Quincy Jones, the legendary musician and producer, “passed away peacefully” on Sunday evening at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy that will remember him as one of the most influential figures in modern music.

Arnold Robinson, a publicist for Jones, said the incomparable producer, who worked with some of the music industry's biggest names, including Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles, died at his home in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles.

“Tonight it is with full but broken hearts that we share the news of the passing of our father and brother Quincy Jones,” Jones' family said in a statement. “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.”

With a career spanning more than 70 years, Jones revolutionized music by transcending genres, pushing boundaries and encouraging collaboration, leaving a lasting impact on jazz, pop, soul, film music and hip-hop. His ability to curate and direct entire projects paved the way for future super producers.

Jones' awards include 28 Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards and an Emmy. He also received an honor from the Kennedy Center for his contributions to American culture, the Legion of Honor from France and the Rudolph Valentino Award from Italy. Time The magazine called Jones one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.

Early in his career, Jones worked with Sinatra and rearranged the crooner's classic “Fly Me to the Moon,” transforming it from a waltz into a swing track. Jones' decades-long collaboration with Jackson led to him producing the pop star's groundbreaking albums Away from the wall, thrillerAnd Bad.

In addition to composing the soundtrack for dozens of films and television shows, Jones also acquired the rights to the novel The color purple and approached Steven Spielberg about directing a film adaptation. The result – a 1985 film starring such actors as Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover – received critical acclaim and was nominated for eleven Academy Awards. Jones also scored the film.

Jones produced and conducted “We Are the World,” a 1985 charity track featuring a host of music stars that became one of the best-selling singles of all time. His work also included producing Lesley Gore's 1963 hit “It's My Party.”

With Jones' legacy, including a comprehensive list of accomplishments, Newsweek has taken a look at how he has revolutionized music over the years.

Building a bridge between jazz and pop music

Jones started out as a jazz trumpeter and arranger, working with legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie and Ray Charles. His jazz roots influenced his cross-genre work, adding a sense of sophistication and complexity to popular music while making jazz more accessible to a wider audience.

Innovative film, TV music

Jones was one of the first black composers to achieve success in Hollywood, writing films like… In the heat of the night (1967) and The pawnbroker (1964). He broke racial barriers and became the first black music director of a major network while working for NBC The Cosby Show. His use of pop, jazz and orchestration in scores influenced future generations of film composers.

Designing Michael Jackson's sound, pop music

As a producer for Michael Jackson's albums Away from the wall (1979), thriller (1982) and Bad (1987), Jones played a monumental role in defining the sound of popular music. thrillerNotably, it remains the best-selling album of all time. Jones' work on these albums mixed pop, rock, funk and R&B, creating a modern, sophisticated sound that set new standards for music production.

Groundbreaking production techniques

Jones' production style was groundbreaking and known for its clear sound, complexity and use of a variety of instruments. Using advanced studio techniques and innovative mixing, he blended acoustic and electronic elements, becoming a blueprint for modern music production. He also popularized the use of session musicians by assembling talented artists to enhance the overall sound.

Influence on hip-hop, sampling

Jones' music became a staple of sampling, particularly in hip hop, where his arrangements, grooves and melodies were widely used by artists and producers. Tracks such as “Summer in the City” by The Lovin' Spoonful, arranged by Jones, were sampled in numerous songs. His influence in hip-hop extended even further when he produced Back on the blocka 1989 album that combined jazz, rap and R&B and demonstrated the power of genre fusion with legends like Ice-T, Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald.

Jones changed music by breaking barriers, mixing genres, advancing production techniques and emphasizing collaboration. His visionary approach has had far-reaching impacts, transforming music for decades to come and setting new standards for excellence and diversity in the music industry.