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UPDATED with more tributes: Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Will Smith, Kamala Harris, Dr. Dre and more are among the latest industry heavyweights to pay tribute to Quincy Jones, the music giant who died Sunday at 91.
Steven Spielberg, who directed 1985’s The Color Purple, which Jones produced and composed the music for, said: “For all of us who value what Quincy Jones contributed to art, society and the human race, he was the World, we are his children. Never to be forgotten for his inimitable talent and legendary contribution to music and culture, and the goal of healing the world, Q was also a profoundly wonderful mentor, a doer and a uniter. Most of all, he was our friend. All of us who were lucky enough to be in his circle were given nicknames by Q. Mine was ‘Carl,’ because in 1980 when we met, my answering machine had a voice message where you heard me doing a terrible impression of Carl Sagan. He never called me by my first name again. He was deeply committed to family. Everyone close to him felt special and blessed just to listen and learn and laugh. Just yesterday, like he had for the past 33 years, he sent flowers to my wife Kate for her birthday. We will miss him, but there is so much of him surrounding us to keep him close.”
Oprah Winfrey, who credited Jones as discovering her, paid tribute on Instagram alongside a photo of the two: “My beloved Q. The world’s beloved Q … My life changed forever for the better after meeting him. I had never experienced, nor have since, anyone who’s heart was so filled with love. He walked around with his heart wide open, and he treated everybody as if they were the most important person he’d ever met. He was the Light. No shadows,” the media mogul shared in part. View the post in its entirety below.
Will Smith, with whom Jones worked on the seminal sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, said alongside a throwback photo of the two: “Quincy Jones is the true definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend. He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”
Producer and rapper Dr. Dre also paid tribute, saying: “Quincy is the reason why I decided to become a record producer. … Forever inspired by the incomparable Quincy Jones.”
Actor Michael Caine, who was born just minutes apart from Jones on March 14, 1933, wrote on X: “My celestial twin Quincy was a titan in the musical world. He was a wonderful and unique human being, lucky to have known him.”
My Celestial twin Quincy was a titan in the musical world. He was a wonderful and unique human being, lucky to have known him.
— Michael Caine (@themichaelcaine) November 4, 2024Jones provided the musical score for 1969 movie The Italian Job, which starred Caine as a recently released criminal, who forms a gang to steal gold bullion being transported through Italy in an armoured truck.
Paul McCartney penned a heartfelt note to Jones on Instagram, saying in part: “His long career stretches back to the early days when he was a trumpet player, then a band leader, then a producer of many great records. But it is as a friend I would like to remember him. We always had fun in his presence and his legend will continue through the years, but it is those private moments we were lucky enough to have with the great man that I will always remember fondly.”
President Joe Biden also weighed in Monday, writing: “Quincy Jones was a trailblazer.
“He lived his life unapologetically, using his gifts to lift others up. He broke down barriers and opened doors for those who came after him, not for praise but because he knew the power of our shared potential.
“For more than half a century, as a composer, arranger, record and movie producer, Quincy Jones created art that brought joy to millions of people. As an activist, Quincy Jones championed civil and human rights. He brought together artists who wanted to unite their voices to drive change. As a role model, in particular for young people of color in the music industry, Quincy Jones offered inspiration and mentorship.
VP Harris added: “I was honored to call Quincy a friend. I will always remember his generosity of spirit, his selfless support, and his deep kindness. Our world has lost a giant. But in his melodies, and in the lives he touched, Quincy’s legacy will live on forever. Today, Doug and I are praying for the Jones family and all those who loved him. “
His Democratic White House predecessor also chimed in:
For decades, Quincy Jones was music. From producing Thriller, to composing the score for The Color Purple, to working with Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles, it seemed like every big record – and every big film – had Quincy’s name on it.
His music appealed to listeners of every race… pic.twitter.com/kKTJ8YFR3y
The Color Purple actor Colman Domingo was among others paying tribute, writing on social media: “He asked, where are you from? Philly I replied, his eyes twinkled and he talked about the Uptown Theater. I was so thrilled to meet Mr. American Music himself. I literally kneeled because he was a King. Thank you Mr. Quincy Jones for giving us all the sound.”
Domingo starred in 2023’s The Color Purple, the musical feature reboot of the 1985 film of the same name Jones produced with Steven Spielberg. Jones was a producer on the modern version alongside the likes of the first film’s star Oprah Winfrey.
Morgan Freeman posted on social media:
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos:
Lenny Kravitz wrote on X, sharing a series of photos of him with Jones: “I am speechless at the moment. What this man means to me goes extremely deep. What a life. What an expression of authenticity. What a teacher. I am humbled that I was given the gift of your openness and friendship. I am still processing… My deepest condolences and respects to the Jones family.”
Media mogul Byron Allen said in a statement: “Quincy, your talent and music continues to make our lives so much better. Every day, you inspire us to pursue excellence. Thank you for your greatness! I love and appreciate you!”
Playwright Jeremy O. Harris wrote: “What couldn’t he do? Quincy Jones, literally born when the limits on how big a black boy could dream were unfathomably high, taught us that the limit does not exist. His contributions to American culture were limitless. First black person nominated for an Oscar for best score. First black person nominated later twice in the same year. The producer of inarguably the biggest albums of the 20th century. An EGOT. Father to some of pretty incredibly talented children as well and godfather to musicians around the world. RIP QUINCY.”
Rapper and actor LL Cool J wrote: “You were a father and example at a time when I truly needed a father and example. Mentor. Role model. King. You gave me opportunities and shared wisdom. Music would not be music without you. My condolences to the entire family. I love you. Rest in the sweetest music eternally.”
Resident Evil and James Bond franchise actor Colin Salmon wrote that Jones “was a true musical Don, from Ray Charles, Sinatra, Michael Jackson; more recently championing Jacob Collier and beyond. As a kid his major influence for me was the soundtrack to the Italian Job. Yes The Self Preservation Society was penned by him. Thank you Maestro you changed the World. RIP.”
Anand Singh, the South African producer of Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom, noted how Jones had written the song ‘Madiba’ for Nelson Mandela’s 80th birthday. The original music sheet and lyrics still hang at Sanctuary Mandela in Johannesburg.
Singh had met Jones whilst making anti-apartheid films in the 1980s. Jones later introduced him to a network of creative talent after Singh bought film adaptation rights to Sarafina!, leading to a production partnership with Warner Bros. “His support extended to many other films, including Cry, The Beloved Country and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” said Singh in a statement.
“We have lost a giant, a friend and an exceptional human being. I am profoundly saddened by the passing of Quincy Jones, a mentor and a dear friend of mine and South Africa for over 40 years… His passing leaves a huge void in our lives, and we will miss him dearly. His creative genius, commitment and contribution to our industry is unparalleled.”
Jones — a musician, composer, producer and songwriter whose oeuvre spanned seven decades — was behind everything from Michael Jackson’s Thriller to frequent collaborations with Frank Sinatra, producing the big-screen adaptation of The Color Purple and composing some of the most memorable film and TV music ever.
He won 28 Grammys during his career, with Jackson’s album Thriller becoming a cultural milestone as it took home eight in the 1980s. He also produced two more of Jackson’s bestselling albums, Off the Wall and Bad.
In 1964, he arranged and conducted Sinatra’s second album with Count Basie titled It Might as Well Be Swing and then collaborated with with the crooner on the live album, Sinatra at the Sands. Jones later produced what was to become the singer’s final album, L.A. Is My Lady, in 1984.
Jones also produced We Are the World, one of the biggest-selling singles of all time, and convinced Miles Davis to record what would be Davis’ final album, Miles & Quincy: Live at Montreux, three months before the jazz great’s death in 1991.
