AiBotLos Angeles, CA – This weekend, music industry veteran Quincy Jones turns 80 years old, marking the beginning of a year-long celebration that will take the world of entertainment by storm. The iconic composer, producer, and musician’s milestone birthday was widely acknowledged with a heartfelt tribute posted on social media from his team and many of his peers, with the caption ’80 and still making history.’
Regarded for his groundbreaking work in shaping the sounds of R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and classical music, Quincy Jones has been an influential figure in the entertainment industry for nearly four decades. Born on March 14, 1933, to Alice Ruth Jones, a bank manager, and Quincy Delight Jones Sr., a carpenter, Quincy Jones’ musical beginnings began early, where he was classically trained in trumpet, and eventually went on to study music theory under some of the world’s most renowned educators.
Jones’ breakthrough in the music industry came in the 1960s when he became a staff arranger and composer for Count Basie and Lionel Hampton. In 1985, he produced Quincy Jones’s critically acclaimed ‘Back on the Block’ release, which won a record nine Grammy Awards including Record of the Year and Album of the Year in 1986. The work on the album also earned him three American Music Awards, and two Billboard Music Awards.
Throughout his illustrious career, Quincy Jones has worked alongside some of the most notable names in music and television history, including Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Frank Sinatra, and Prince. As a producer, composer, and conductor, his extensive discography is comprised of more than 150 records and albums spanning multiple genres.
Jones’ impressive list of accolades has garnered recognition from the National Medal of Arts, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, among others. His philanthropic efforts have focused on youth music education, civil rights, and cancer research initiatives.
As the world joins in celebrating this momentous occasion, Quincy Jones has announced a year-long celebration that includes a series of tribute concerts, album re-releases, and documentary projects to celebrate his life and contributions to the music industry.
Reflecting on his 80 years and the memories, Jones is quoted saying, ‘The music industry is where I live, and I love the thrill of the chase and the rush of creating something new – something from the heart, something that will touch people in their soul,’ when asked how he’s managed to maintain his creative passion and energy throughout his long career.
As a testament to Quincy Jones’ lasting impact on the music industry and the lives of billions of people worldwide, the upcoming year promises to be extraordinary – filled with music, celebration, and recognition of his enduring legacy as a master artist, philanthropist, and visionary leader in the arts.