RIP Quincy Jones

Art & Hue is saddened by the news that Quincy Jones has died at the age of 91 and wishes to extend condolences to his family & friends.

The prolific and gifted composer & producer worked with many artists across his long career, including Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan & Miles Davis.

The first African American nominated for the Best Original Song Oscar (for “The Eyes of Love” from “Banning” with Jill St. John), Quincy wrote the rousing anthem “Getta Bloomin’ Move On! (The Self Presevation Society)” for the classic film “The Italian Job” starring Michael Caine with Benny Hill, Noel Coward, George Innes & Valerie Leon. Jones also composed the film’s soundtrack and the opening song “On Days Like These” sung by Matt Monro.

As a composer for film & TV, some of his many soundtracks include “A Dandy in Aspic” with Laurence Harvey, Tom Courtenay & Barbara Murray; the theme of “Sanford & Son”, the American remake of “Steptoe & Son“; “Walk, Don’t Run” with Cary Grant; “Mirage” with Gregory Peck; “Enter Laughing” with Shelley Winters; “Cactus Flower” with Goldie Hawn & Walter Matthau; “The Anderson Tapes” with Sean Connery; and “They Call Me Mister Tibbs!”, “Brother John”. “The Slender Thread”, “For the Love of Ivy”, “The Lost Man” & “In the Heat of the Night” with Sidney Poitier, to name a very few.

In the 90s, Quincy’s 1962 track “Soul Bossa Nova”, from his “Big Band Bossa Nova” album, was rediscovered by a new audience as the theme for the spy spoof film “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery”.

A prodigious talent, Quincy Jones leaves behind an incredible body of work to be discovered and enjoyed by future generations.

R.I.P. Quincy Jones
14th March 1933 – 3rd November 2024