Quincy Jones, legendary music and entertainment figure, passes away at 91

Quincy Jones, an unparalleled musical luminary, whose artistic finesse graced the works of artists from Ray Charles to Michael Jackson, has passed away at 91. His representatives confirmed his demise. Jones departed this life on Sunday night at his Bel Air residence, surrounded by family, as relayed by his publicist to CNN.

"Tonight, with hearts both full and broken, we share the passing of our father and brother, Quincy Jones," the Jones family declared in their statement. "Though an immense loss, we celebrate his remarkable life, knowing there will never be another like him. He was truly unique, and we shall miss him profoundly. We take solace and pride in the love and joy he shared with the world through his creations. His music and boundless love ensure Quincy Jones' heart will resonate forever."

Jones, a venerated jazz and pop maestro, excelled as an arranger, conductor, record executive, and civil rights advocate. His immense talent and unyielding ambition forged an unparalleled career in the entertainment realm. His vast portfolio includes scoring the Oscar-winning "In the Heat of the Night," producing Michael Jackson’s monumental "Thriller," and orchestrating the iconic charity anthem "We Are the World."

Hailing from Chicago, to a carpenter father and a troubled mother, Jones discovered music early and embraced the piano. His family relocated to Seattle, where he studied under renowned horn player Clark Terry, eventually forging a lifelong bond with a young Ray Charles. As a teenager, Jones honed his skills, catching the eye of bandleader Lionel Hampton. At 15, he was invited to tour with Hampton's band, but his wife Gladys intervened, insisting he complete his education.

Heeding her wisdom, Jones graduated and earned a scholarship to Schillinger House (now Berklee College of Music). Post-graduation, he toured with Hampton, marking the inception of an illustrious career. Jones soon arranged for legends like Count Basie and Duke Ellington, and even accompanied Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie on European tours.

In 1961, Jones broke barriers as Mercury Records' artists-and-repertoire director, later becoming the first African-American vice president at a white-owned label. His first pop success came with Leslie Gore’s chart-topping "It’s My Party." Collaborations with Sinatra and Peggy Lee followed, alongside his Grammy-winning arrangement of Count Basie’s "I Can’t Stop Loving You."

The 1960s saw Jones delve into film scores, producing soundtracks for "In The Heat of the Night" and "In Cold Blood." From 1969 to 1981, he worked with A&M Records and launched his own label, Qwest. In 1982, he famously produced Jackson’s "Thriller." Three years later, he masterminded "We Are the World" and produced "The Color Purple."

Television success came with "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," starring his mentee, Will Smith. In 1993, Jones ventured into publishing, founding Vibe magazine. A 1974 brain aneurysm prompted him to slow down and cherish family time.

Over the years, Jones married thrice and fathered seven children. He wed high school sweetheart Jeri Caldwell in 1957, with whom he had daughter Jolie. In 1967, he married Swedish model Ulla Andersson, having two children, Martina and Quincy Jones III, before their 1974 divorce. That year, he married actress Peggy Lipton, resulting in daughters Rashida and Kidada. He also fathered Rachel with dancer Carol Reynolds and Kenya Kinski-Jones with actress Nastassja Kinski.

Jones remained active both personally and professionally into his later years. In 2014, he produced "Keep on Keepin’ On," a documentary about his mentor, Clark Terry. Reflecting on his career, Jones told Rolling Stone, "I've worked with every major music star in America’s history — including Louis Armstrong. You can't plan that; you must wait until they call you."

This story is ongoing and will be updated accordingly.