Quincy Jones' Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Gai Terrell/Redferns/Getty

Gai Terrell/Redferns/Getty

He earned more than 20 Grammy Awards in his lifetime, for work on iconic blockbusters such asThriller, and scored Oscar-winning films such asThe Color Purple.And he wasalso a dad to seven.

His family surrounded him at the time of his death in L.A. They released a statement that read, “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.”

Look back at his incomparable life and career in photos.

01of 24Quincy Jones Is Born in ChicagoQuincy Jones/ instagramQuincy Delight Jones, Jr. was born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago. He began playing the trumpet at a young age and continued his musical studies at the prestigious Schillinger House (now Berklee College of Music) in Boston, Massachusetts. At 20 years old, he toured with Lionel Hampton’s band as a musician and arranger, and went on to arrange and record for music legends like Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and Ray Charles.

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Quincy Jones Is Born in Chicago

Quincy Jones/ instagram

Quincy Delight Jones, Jr. was born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago. He began playing the trumpet at a young age and continued his musical studies at the prestigious Schillinger House (now Berklee College of Music) in Boston, Massachusetts. At 20 years old, he toured with Lionel Hampton’s band as a musician and arranger, and went on to arrange and record for music legends like Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and Ray Charles.

02of 24Quincy Jones and His Brotherquincyjones/Instagram"Me and my brother Lloyd,” he captioned this adorable throwback photofrom his childhood.

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Quincy Jones and His Brother

quincyjones/Instagram

“Me and my brother Lloyd,” he captioned this adorable throwback photofrom his childhood.

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Quincy Jones' Many Accomplishments

quincy jones/ instagram

04of 24Quincy Jones' Early Careerquincyjones/InstagramJones' talent for music was evident early, and his skill as a trumpeter got him attention from Ray Charles, who was an early collaborator. He moved out to New York City in his late teens to begin his professional music career.“If you would’ve told this 14 year old Quincy (3rd from the right - in the Bumps Blackwell Band!) that he’d be nominated for his 80th Grammy at age 85, he would’ve told ya to go get your head checked!“Jones wrote on Instagram.

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Quincy Jones' Early Career

Jones' talent for music was evident early, and his skill as a trumpeter got him attention from Ray Charles, who was an early collaborator. He moved out to New York City in his late teens to begin his professional music career.

“If you would’ve told this 14 year old Quincy (3rd from the right - in the Bumps Blackwell Band!) that he’d be nominated for his 80th Grammy at age 85, he would’ve told ya to go get your head checked!“Jones wrote on Instagram.

05of 24Jones' First Wifequincyjones/InstagramJones married his high school sweetheart, Jeri Caldwell, in 1957, and the two had one child, daughter Jolie, before splitting up in the mid-1960s.After her death in late 2021, Jonespaid heartfelt tribute to her on his Instagram: “From moving with me to Paris in the ’50s, to bootstrapping it with me during my Free & Easy tour (which was anything but free & easy!), to being an incredible mother to our sweet Jolie, she never ceased to put others before herself. She even sacrificed her status & popularity to be with me (after multiple attempts from her family, friends, high school, & college to stop her from marrying a Black man)…But she did it anyway, & for that, I am forever grateful.”

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Jones' First Wife

Jones married his high school sweetheart, Jeri Caldwell, in 1957, and the two had one child, daughter Jolie, before splitting up in the mid-1960s.

After her death in late 2021, Jonespaid heartfelt tribute to her on his Instagram: “From moving with me to Paris in the ’50s, to bootstrapping it with me during my Free & Easy tour (which was anything but free & easy!), to being an incredible mother to our sweet Jolie, she never ceased to put others before herself. She even sacrificed her status & popularity to be with me (after multiple attempts from her family, friends, high school, & college to stop her from marrying a Black man)…But she did it anyway, & for that, I am forever grateful.”

06of 24Quincy Jones' Partnership with Frank SinatraJones had been touring with big band groups for some time before he got his true big break: Arranging for Frank Sinatra after meeting him in Monaco at an event.As he recalled toRolling Stone:“I was living in France and one day they said, “Grace Kelly’s office called, and Mr. Sinatra wants you to bring a 55-piece orchestra down to Monte Carlo for a benefit.” We took a train down and at the end of the show, he said, “Great job, kid, koo-koo.” I didn’t hear from him for four years and then he called me and said, “Hey, Q, this is Francis, I’m in Hawaii … Would you consider doing an album with [Count] Basie and me?” I said hell to the yeah, went over to Hawaii, and I didn’t leave Frank until he left earth.”

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Quincy Jones' Partnership with Frank Sinatra

Jones had been touring with big band groups for some time before he got his true big break: Arranging for Frank Sinatra after meeting him in Monaco at an event.

As he recalled toRolling Stone:“I was living in France and one day they said, “Grace Kelly’s office called, and Mr. Sinatra wants you to bring a 55-piece orchestra down to Monte Carlo for a benefit.” We took a train down and at the end of the show, he said, “Great job, kid, koo-koo.” I didn’t hear from him for four years and then he called me and said, “Hey, Q, this is Francis, I’m in Hawaii … Would you consider doing an album with [Count] Basie and me?” I said hell to the yeah, went over to Hawaii, and I didn’t leave Frank until he left earth.”

07of 24Quincy Jones Becomes First High-Level Black Music ExecutiveMichael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesJones became the Vice President of Mercury Records in 1961, making him the first high-level Black executive at a major record company. Here, he’s seen at a party with Mercury Records V.P. Irwin Steinberg, singer Lesley Gore and other executives in 1963.

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Quincy Jones Becomes First High-Level Black Music Executive

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Jones became the Vice President of Mercury Records in 1961, making him the first high-level Black executive at a major record company. Here, he’s seen at a party with Mercury Records V.P. Irwin Steinberg, singer Lesley Gore and other executives in 1963.

08of 24Quincy Jones' Kids with His Second Wifequincyjones/InstagramJones welcomed daughter Rachel (not pictured) with model Carol Reynolds; then after marrying model Ulla Andersson in 1967, he had two more children: son Quincy III and daughter Martina,whom he wished a happy birthday with this cute picin 2021.

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Quincy Jones' Kids with His Second Wife

Jones welcomed daughter Rachel (not pictured) with model Carol Reynolds; then after marrying model Ulla Andersson in 1967, he had two more children: son Quincy III and daughter Martina,whom he wished a happy birthday with this cute picin 2021.

09of 24Quincy Jones' Health Issuesquincyjones/InstagramIn 1974, Jones sustained a brain aneurysm so severe that doctors thought he might not make it. Heshared a photo on Instagramfrom a “memorial service” his friends threw (including Sidney Poitier, pictured) for him to experience while still alive.“It didn’t look like I’d make it, so my friends planned a memorial service for me at The Shrine…This picture was taken that night & I cherish it to this day. He has been there for me in the best of times & also in the darkest…That’s TRUE friendship,” he wrote.Two surgeries got him to a more stable place, but he was no longer allowed to play his trumpet for fear he’d trigger another aneurysm.He toldGQhe misses it “all the time … but I can’t touch it.”

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Quincy Jones' Health Issues

In 1974, Jones sustained a brain aneurysm so severe that doctors thought he might not make it. Heshared a photo on Instagramfrom a “memorial service” his friends threw (including Sidney Poitier, pictured) for him to experience while still alive.

“It didn’t look like I’d make it, so my friends planned a memorial service for me at The Shrine…This picture was taken that night & I cherish it to this day. He has been there for me in the best of times & also in the darkest…That’s TRUE friendship,” he wrote.

Two surgeries got him to a more stable place, but he was no longer allowed to play his trumpet for fear he’d trigger another aneurysm.He toldGQhe misses it “all the time … but I can’t touch it.”

10of 24Quincy Jones' Third Wife, Peggy LiptonBettmann Archive/GettyJones' marriage to his third wife,The Mod Squad’s Peggy Lipton (pictured with him in 1980 as he got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame), was his longest-lasting, from 1974 to 1990. They had two daughters, Rashida and Kidada.Upon her death in 2019,Jones shared a loving tribute, saying in part, “There is absolutely no combination of words that can express the sadness I feel after losing my beloved Peggy Lipton. My wife of 14 years. We shared many, many beautiful memories, and most importantly, we share two incredible daughters.”

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Quincy Jones' Third Wife, Peggy Lipton

Bettmann Archive/Getty

Jones' marriage to his third wife,The Mod Squad’s Peggy Lipton (pictured with him in 1980 as he got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame), was his longest-lasting, from 1974 to 1990. They had two daughters, Rashida and Kidada.

Upon her death in 2019,Jones shared a loving tribute, saying in part, “There is absolutely no combination of words that can express the sadness I feel after losing my beloved Peggy Lipton. My wife of 14 years. We shared many, many beautiful memories, and most importantly, we share two incredible daughters.”

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Quincy Jones' Film Scores

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Quincy Jones Scores The Color Purple

13of 24Quincy Jones Produces Michael Jackson’s Best-Selling AlbumsDave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesFrom 1979 to 1987, Jones had produced Michael Jackson’s iconic albumsOff the Wall,ThrillerandBad. The duo sold millions of records, earned nine No. 1 songs andThrillerbecame one of the best-selling albums of all time. Jones also won album of the year forThrillerand record of the year for “Beat It” at the 26th annualGrammy Awards.

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Quincy Jones Produces Michael Jackson’s Best-Selling Albums

Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

From 1979 to 1987, Jones had produced Michael Jackson’s iconic albumsOff the Wall,ThrillerandBad. The duo sold millions of records, earned nine No. 1 songs andThrillerbecame one of the best-selling albums of all time. Jones also won album of the year forThrillerand record of the year for “Beat It” at the 26th annualGrammy Awards.

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Quincy Jones' 1986 Grammys for ‘We Are the World’

Michael Ochs Archive/Getty

“We Are the World,” which Jones produced with Michael Jackson (who cowrote the song with Lionel Richie), was a charity single to benefit humanitarian aid in Africa and the United States.The song generated $75 million for famine relief and recovery, according toUSA for Africa, and became one of the best-selling singles of all time.

15of 24Quincy Jones Executive Produces Fresh Prince of Bel-AirMike Ansell/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesJones was the executive producer ofFresh Prince of Bel-Air, starring a youngWill Smith, in 1990 and also founded VIBE Magazine in 1992.

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Quincy Jones Executive Produces Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Mike Ansell/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Jones was the executive producer ofFresh Prince of Bel-Air, starring a youngWill Smith, in 1990 and also founded VIBE Magazine in 1992.

16of 24Quincy Jones Hosts Saturday Night LiveRaymond Bonar/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesThe music legend hostedSaturday Night Livein 1990 with special guest appearances from Kool Moe Dee, Melle Mel and Quincy D III. Here, he discusses the show ahead of the live episode with Lorne Michaels.

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Quincy Jones Hosts Saturday Night Live

Raymond Bonar/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

The music legend hostedSaturday Night Livein 1990 with special guest appearances from Kool Moe Dee, Melle Mel and Quincy D III. Here, he discusses the show ahead of the live episode with Lorne Michaels.

17of 24Quincy Jones Leads Bill Clinton’s Presidential Inaugural CelebrationLynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty ImagesIn 1993, Jones produced the first official event for President Bill Clinton’s inaugural celebration, which featured musical guests Michael Jackson, Kenny Rogers and Diana Ross.

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Quincy Jones Leads Bill Clinton’s Presidential Inaugural Celebration

Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

In 1993, Jones produced the first official event for President Bill Clinton’s inaugural celebration, which featured musical guests Michael Jackson, Kenny Rogers and Diana Ross.

18of 24Quincy Jones' Seventh Child, with Nastassja KinskiRon Galella Collection/GettyIn 1993, Jones and actress Nastassja Kinski welcomed his sixth daughter and seventh child, Kenya Kinski-Jones. The couple split several years later.

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Quincy Jones' Seventh Child, with Nastassja Kinski

Ron Galella Collection/Getty

In 1993, Jones and actress Nastassja Kinski welcomed his sixth daughter and seventh child, Kenya Kinski-Jones. The couple split several years later.

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POOL/Getty Images

The Kennedy Center Honors recognized Jones — alongside Van Cliburn, Julie Andrews, Jack Nicholson and Luciano Pavarotti — for his monumental contributions to music, film, culture and philanthropy in 2001.

20of 24Quincy Jones Releases His AutobiographyPatsy Lynch/WireImageThe same year, Jones released his best-selling autobiographyQ: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones.

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Quincy Jones Releases His Autobiography

Patsy Lynch/WireImage

The same year, Jones released his best-selling autobiographyQ: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones.

21of 24Quincy Jones Cements His Hand and Footprints at the TCL Chinese TheaterFREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty ImagesIn 2018, Jones cemented his imprint in Hollywood history during his hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theater. He became the first film composer to be awarded the honor.

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Quincy Jones Cements His Hand and Footprints at the TCL Chinese Theater

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

In 2018, Jones cemented his imprint in Hollywood history during his hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theater. He became the first film composer to be awarded the honor.

22of 24Quincy Jones Receives the National Medal of ArtsBrooks Kraft LLC/Corbis/GettyIn 2011, PresidentBarack Obamaawarded Jones the National Medal of Arts for"his extraordinary contributions to American music as a musician, composer, record producer, and arranger. As a master inventor of musical hybrids, he has mixed pop, soul, hip-hop, jazz, classical, African, and Brazilian music into many dazzling fusions, traversing virtually every medium, including records, live performances, movies, and television.”

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Quincy Jones Receives the National Medal of Arts

Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis/Getty

In 2011, PresidentBarack Obamaawarded Jones the National Medal of Arts for"his extraordinary contributions to American music as a musician, composer, record producer, and arranger. As a master inventor of musical hybrids, he has mixed pop, soul, hip-hop, jazz, classical, African, and Brazilian music into many dazzling fusions, traversing virtually every medium, including records, live performances, movies, and television.”

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Quincy Jones Celebrates His Netflix Documentary with Daughter Rashida

Lester Cohen/Getty Images

24of 24Quincy Jones' Children and GrandchildrenWith a 70-year career under his belt, the legendary musician and producer continued to stay busy, even recentlyreleasing a new book.But he also enjoyed sharing personal glimpses at his life on his Instagram — including a warm tribute to his six daughters on International Women’s Day, which he wrote as the caption on a family photo featuring his kids and grandchildren.

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Quincy Jones' Children and Grandchildren

With a 70-year career under his belt, the legendary musician and producer continued to stay busy, even recentlyreleasing a new book.But he also enjoyed sharing personal glimpses at his life on his Instagram — including a warm tribute to his six daughters on International Women’s Day, which he wrote as the caption on a family photo featuring his kids and grandchildren.

source: people.com