Hours before his death, Quincy Jones shared a post to Instagram in honor of his daughter’s birthday.
Jones is one of the most influential figures in music, with a career spanning over seven decades. Known for his groundbreaking work on Michael Jackson’s historic Thriller album, as well as his award-winning film and television scores, Jones’ legacy is widely regarded.
On Monday, his publicist Arnold Robinson confirmed that the legendary music producer died at the age of 91 on Sunday night at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, surrounded by family.
Before his death, Jones took to Instagram to share his love for his daughter Matina Jones. “Happy Birthday to my Tina Beena @martinafotos1!! So proud to be yo papa! Big hug, I love you eternally,” he posted alongside a photo of the two of them together.
The record producer was married three times and had seven children with five different women. His children are Jolie, 69, Rachel, 59, Martina, 58, Quincy III, 55, Kidada, 50, Rashida, 48, and Kenya, 31.
Newsweek emailed Robinson, Jones’ spokesperson, for comment on Monday outside of normal business hours.
Jolie, the star’s eldest child, lives a life out of the spotlight but has dabbled in acting; her mother is Jones’ high-school sweetheart Jeri Caldwell. The music mogul’s second daughter, Rachel, is a doctor, with her mother being Carol Reynolds. Martina, whose mother is former Ford model Ulla Andersson, is also a former model, now a photographer.
Jones and Andersson also shared the music mogul’s only son, Quincy III, who followed in his father’s footsteps and became a music producer. He has worked with artists such as Dr. Dre, Tupac Shakur and Ice Cube.
Together, actor Peggy Lipton and Jones had their daughters Kidada, who works as a designer for The Walt Disney Company, and Rashida, an actor who has starred in TV shows like Parks & Recreation and The Office and films such as The Social Network and Inside Out.
His daughter Kenya, whom he had with German actor Nastassja Kinski, is a model whose first runway show was for Chanel. She has also appeared in campaigns for Calvin Klein and Stella McCartney.
Quincy Jones attends the “Dolemite Is My Name!” event at San Vicente Bungalows on October 26, 2019, in West Hollywood, California. The music producer wished one of his daughters a happy birthday on Instagram in the hours before his death.
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Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Netflix
Jones’ influence spanned decades and genres and, in a heartfelt statement, his family reflected on his remarkable life: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing.
“While this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life he lived, knowing there will never be another like him.”
Jones turned 91 in March and took to his Facebook page to share his thoughts on turning another year older.
“This life that I’ve been blessed to live is not one that I take for granted. As a little black boy growing up in the South Side of Chicago, making it to 91 wasn’t even a dream because it never seemed possible. But as I stand before you today, I am grateful for every person who lent me a shoulder to stand on … From Count Basie to Nadia Boulanger to Joseph Powe to all of the individuals who told me I was worth another day,” he wrote.
“To all-a-y’awl out there, never underestimate the positive impact that you can have on a kid’s life because it may just be the difference between them making it to 19 or 91. Thank you all for the beautiful birthday wishes & I pray that I can continue to pass down what the great’s have given to me!! Keep on keepin’ on … U know I am!”
Jones’ musical catalog includes some of the most iconic works in American history, having worked on collaborations with legends including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles.
His accolades include 28 Grammy Awards, one honorary Academy Award and an Emmy, and he was also the recipient of a Kennedy Center tribute for his contributions to American culture. Time magazine also named Jones one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.
