Quincy Jones, influential music producer, dies at 91

American music mogul Quincy Jones, known for reshaping the sound of modern music, has died at the age of 91.

Born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Jones began his career as a jazz trumpeter before rising to prominence as a prolific producer and arranger. He collaborated with numerous legendary artists including Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Jones is most famous for producing Michael Jackson’s Thriller, one of the best-selling albums of all time, as well as Off the Wall and Bad.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the Jones family said in the statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him. He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”

With a record 28 Grammy Awards, out of a record 80 nominations, Jones remains one of the most awarded figures in Grammy history, celebrated not only for his music but also for his work in film and television such as the renowned sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.