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Quincy Jones Biography

Birth Name:Quincy Delight Jones

Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession Composer, Music department, Producer, Actor

Fast Facts

  • Became a member of the Honorary Founders Board of the Jazz Foundation of America
  • Won the Ahment Ertegun Award and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013
  • After suffering a brain aneurysm in the 1970s, he is unable to play the trumpet anymore
  • In 1956, he toured with the Dizzy Gillespie Band through South America and the Middle East as both trumpet player and musical director
  • Was offered a scholarship to attend the Schillinger House, but decided to tour with bandleader Lionel Hampton instead
  • As a 14-year-old youth in Seattle, he first became acquainted with Ray Charles, who would become a lifelong friend
  • Quote: "Imagine what a harmonious world it could be if every single person, both young and old shared a little of what he is good at doing․"
  • Known for his musical arrangements with legendary artists, including Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Dean Martin, etc
  • Provided musical scores for more than 30 major motion pictures, including "The Pawnbroker" and "In Cold Blood․"
  • According to the results of a DNA test given on the PBS series "African American Lives," his patrilineal line is of European ancestry, with his matrilineal line is of West/Central African ancestry
  • Decided never to learn how to drive after a car accident he experienced as a passenger at the age of 14

Awards

  • 1968Oscar-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 1968Oscar-Best Music, Original Music Score: nominated
  • 1968Grammy-Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Show: nominated
  • 1969Oscar-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 1970Golden Globe-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 1970Grammy-Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special: nominated
  • 1970Grammy-Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special: nominated
  • 1970Golden Laurel-Music Man: nominated
  • 1970Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition - For a Series or a Single Program of a Series (In Its First Year Only): nominated
  • 1972Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1973Golden Globe-Best Original Score - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1973Grammy-Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special: nominated
  • 1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore): winner
  • 1979Oscar-Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score: nominated
  • 1984Grammy-Best Recording for Children: winner
  • 1986Oscar-Best Picture: nominated
  • 1986Oscar-Best Music, Original Score: nominated
  • 1986Oscar-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 1986Golden Globe-Best Original Score - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1986Razzie Award-Worst Musical Score: nominated
  • 1987ASCAP Award-Top Box Office Films: winner
  • 2005Black Movie Award-Outstanding Television Movie: nominated
  • 2018Critics' Choice Documentary Award-Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary: winner
  • 2018HMMA Award-Best Original Song - Documentary: nominated
  • 2019Grammy-Best Music Film: winner
  • 2023Angel Awards Trophy-Best Producer: winner
  • 2024Black Reel-Outstanding Film: nominated