04/11/2024
Quincy Jones, rest peacefully legend. Our Culture Shifter. My first thought was Kidada & her siblings losing their father. My second motion was to listen to Quincy's "Tomorrow (A Better You, Better Me)" track sang by Tevin Campbell. The lyrics resonate directly with what Quincy has done as a composer for generations.
"I hope tomorrow will bring better you, better me/I know that we'll show this world we got more we could be/So you should never give up on your hopes and your dreams.." He composed culture shifting albums and movie soundtracks. He has worked with artists such as Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson & more. His career spanned over 70 years. Without him, there is no Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall, Thriller & Bad" albums.
There is no "We Are the World" charity single. He arranged for movie/TV soundtracks such as: The Color Purple, In the Heat of the Night, For Love of Ivy, Sanford and Son Theme Song, Roots & The Wiz (with Diana Ross & Michael Jackson). A short list of a lengthy one. He was an executive producer & composer for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He produced a children's audio book with Michael Jackson for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
He was born March 14, 1933, in the South Side of Chicago. Jones was introduced to music by his mother, who always sang religious songs, and next-door neighbor Lucy Jackson. When Jones was five or six, Jackson played stride piano next door, and he would listen through the walls. Jackson recalled that after he heard her one-day, she could not get him off her piano.
His family settled in Seattle, Washington, when he was a teen. He became more in tune with music here. He attended Garfield High School and developed skills as a trumpeter & arranger. From this point, he would make progressive steps toward a remarkable path. His imprint will forever be engraved in the culture. Thank you, Quincy. 🖤🕊
(March 14, 1933 – Nov. 3, 2024)
