Quincy Jones, who died in Los Angeles at the age of 91, was a legendary figure in American music. A jazz star in the 1950s, he quickly became a legendary producer. His career culminated in "Thriller", Michael Jackson's best-selling album of all time. His collaboration with Jackson began in 1979, with "Off the Wall", followed by "Thriller" in 1982 and "Bad" in 1987, works that revolutionized pop and funk. But Quincy Jones was also a prolific composer, penning unforgettable scores for films and TV series, and directing the recording of the famous charity song "We Are the World" in 1985. A pioneer of jazz fusion and pop music, this influential artist leaves a rich musical legacy, admired and recognized the world over.
From Ray Charles to Count Basie, Frank Sinatra to Aretha Franklin, not forgetting Michael Jackson... Over the course of an exceptional career, this jazz trumpeter-turned-genius arranger composed and produced hundreds of cult albums. His imprint has left its mark on over half a century of American music, from bebop to hip-hop and pop.
Quincy Jones ' career began in the jazz world of the 1950s, where he quickly distinguished himself as a trumpeter before establishing himself as an arranger and composer. At just 11 years of age, he discovered the piano, an instrument that guided him towards music like a true destiny. This budding passion led him to Boston and then Paris, where he perfected his training, notably under the tutelage of pedagogue Nadia Boulanger. Back in the United States, he became one of the first African-Americans to attain influential positions in the music industry, notably at Mercury Records, where he was appointed Vice President.
But it was his meeting with Michael Jackson that took his career to a whole new level. In 1979, Jones produced "Off the Wall", followed by the legendary "Thriller" album in 1982, which became the best-selling album of all time, with such cult hits as "Billie Jean" and "Thriller". This success was followed by "Bad" in 1987, concluding a trio of albums that redefined pop and funk standards. At the same time, Quincy Jones also made a name for himself with the production of iconic film scores such as "Dans la chaleur de la nuit" and "L'Or se barre", as well as landmark theme songs such as "L'Homme de fer".
In 1985, he directed the recording of the charity song "We Are the World", written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie for the USA for Africa association, an exceptional collaboration featuring such music stars as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen. A true production pioneer, he won 28 Grammy Awards over the course of his career, prestigious accolades that underline his profound and lasting impact on the music industry.
In 1991, Quincy Jones set up his own production company, Qwest Records, which later expanded into the entertainment field, including production of the famous series "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". In 2017, he launched Qwest TV, a streaming platform dedicated to music, a true tribute to his jazz roots.
Jones was also deeply committed to charity, actively supporting AIDS and cancer research, and creating educational facilities for young people through his Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation. For his 75th birthday in 2008, he was invited by the Montreux Jazz Festival to lead a musical tribute, a landmark moment that testifies to the admiration he commands the world over.
Today, Quincy Jones leaves an immense legacy, having collaborated with icons such as Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. His career embodies the essence of 20th-century popular music, fusing jazz, pop, funk and bossa nova. His death marks the end of an era, but his creations continue to inspire and resonate with present and future generations.
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