Quincy Jones, Legendary Music Producer, Dies at 91

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Obituaries Legendary Music Producer Quincy Jones Has Died at 91

Mr. Jones was one of the most prolific musicians in American history, enjoying a seven decades–long career.

By Margaret Hall

November 04, 2024

Legendary music producer, composer, arranger, and songwriter Quincy Jones has died. He was 91.

Mr. Jones was one of the most prolific musicians in American history. Beginning his career in 1953 alongside jazz bandleader Lionel Hampton, Mr. Jones' extensive career stretched out over seven decades, bringing him 80 Grammy nominations, of which he received 28, making him the most awarded producer in Grammy history.

In the theatrical realm, Mr. Jones was a driving force behind the 1978 film adaptation of The Wiz, for which he arranged the entire score and penned new songs "Can I Go On?" and "Is This What Feeling Gets? (Dorothy's Theme)" for Diana Ross's Dorothy. Mr. Jones also makes a cameo appearance in the film, as the pianist in the Emerald City sequence.

On Broadway, Mr. Jones produced both the 2006 and 2016 productions of The Color Purple, after producing and composing the score of the property's 1985 film version. Mr. Jones would return to produce the title's 2023 movie musical, as well, which added his song "Miss Celie's Blues" from the 1985 film to the songlist. He is depicted as a character within MJ the Musical, and songs he originally produced have been interpolated into a wide array of musicals, including The Marvelous Wonderettes, Come Fly Away, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, and more.

He is survived by his daughters, Rashida and Kidada.

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Police in Harvard, Massachusetts, say a FedEx driver was robbed Thursday afternoon by two men who threatened violence.

The robbery happened on Stow Road just before 12:45 p.m., Harvard Police Chief James Babu said in a statement shared on Facebook. The driver was delivering a package to a home when a vehicle pulled up alongside his van. Two masked men got out, approached him from behind and forcibly took the package from him.

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The men did not show a firearm, but police said they "issued verbal threats implying they were armed."

The driver was not injured.

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The men were in a white, late-model Acura TLX with tinted windows and a Connecticut license plate, partially reading "BN," police said. The department shared home surveillance footage of the robbery.

Police said the vehicle was parked nearby for "several hours," suggesting the men may have been targeting a specific delivery.

The homeowner, Angelica Morgado, tells NBC10 Boston she was inside waiting for her delivery — an Apple computer monitor worth about $2,000 — unknowingly just steps away from where it was stolen from the driver.

"I am scared, because I have three kids," she said. "The kids play alone in my backyard."

"We are aware of the incident and are cooperating with the local police in their investigation," a FedEx spokesperson said in a statement to NBC10 Boston. "The safety and wellbeing of our team members is our top priority, and we’re grateful no one was injured in this incident. As this is an active investigation, all other inquiries should be directed to the local police."

Anyone with information is asked to call 978-456-1212 or email cgenetti@harvard-ma.gov.

"Even seemingly minor details could provide critical information in solving this case," Babu wrote. "We rely on the eyes and ears of our community. If you notice something that doesn't seem right, please don't hesitate to contact the police."