Quincy Jones Was Also Revered As A Prolific Film Composer
by Tim Lammers · ForbesQuincy Jones—the iconic music producer behind such legends as Michael Jackson, Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra—had just as big of an impact on movies as he did on music.
Jones died Sunday in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family. He was 91.
Jones, of course, is widely known for producing Jackson’s blockbuster album Thriller, as well as the groundbreaking song fundraiser We Are the World for the U.S.A. for Africa initiative.
Released in 1985, We Are the World featured some of the biggest pop and rock musicians of the day including Jackson, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Lio Bob Dylan, Diana Ross and Billy Joel.
While Jones had a major presence in the music scene, he had made just as big an impact as a film and television show composer and producer. Per IMDb, Jones composed the music for such films as Mackenna’s Gold, The Italian Job and The Color Purple—which he also produced.
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Jones also was the associate conductor, music arranger and music supervisor on the 1978 classic movie musical The Wiz.
In addition to his film work, Jones composed the music for the landmark television miniseries Roots in 1977.
Quincy Jones Was Nominated For 7 Oscars
Quincy Jones’ film music was honored throughout the years by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with seven Oscar nominations.
Jones’ first Oscar nomination came for Best Original Score for the 1968 film In Cold Blood.
The composer also earned Best Original Song Oscar nominations for the tune The Eyes of Love from the 1968's Banning, as well as the title song from the 1969's For Love of Ivy.
In addition, 1979’s The Wiz earned Jones a Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score Oscar nomination.
Jones’ last three Oscar nominations came for 1986’s The Color Purple. On the music side, Jones earned a Best Original Score and a Best Original Song nomination—for Miss Celie's Blues (Sister).
In addition, Jones was nominated as a producer—along with Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall—since The Color Purple was a Best Picture nominee.
Jones was honored with an honorary Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award—which is an Oscar statuette—in 1995.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced in June that they were honoring Jones with an honorary Oscar this year for his contributions to film.
“Quincy Jones’ artistic genius and relentless creativity have made him one of the most influential musical figures of all time,” the Academy said in a press release.
Jones will be honored posthumously on with the honorary Oscar at the Academy’s Governor’s Awards on November 17.
Quincy Jones is survived by his children Rashida Jones, Kidada Jones, Kenya Kinski-Jones, Quincy Jones III, Jolie Jones Levine, Martina Jones and Rachel Jones.