The music world is mourning a legend. Hall of Fame songwriter, record producer and performer Quincy Jones is dead at the age of 91.
The 28-time Grammy winner passed away Sunday at his home in Bel Air, California.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,” the Jones family said in the statement. “He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”
Jones was born on the South Side of Chicago and at age 14 he introduced himself to then-16-year-old Ray Charles, who inspired his own music career.
Jones began traveling around the country on tour with different acts playing the trumpet, including in the studio band that supported Elvis Presley.
Jones' career in the entertainment industry spanned over 60 years and he worked with artists such as Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson.
Jones produced Michael Jackson's all-time best-selling album Thriller, and later organized the all-star charity recording of "We Are the World."
He also produced the film The Color Purple and the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Jones received a record of 80 Grammy Award nominations, 28 of which he went on to win, and he later received the Grammy Legend Award in 1992.