Quincy Jones, the celebrated American music producer, composer, arranger, musician and entertainment executive, died on November 3, 2024, at the age of 91. His death marked the end of a career that stretched across jazz, pop, film, television and recording production.
This article explains what is confirmed about Quincy Jones’ death, his early life, career, family, cause of death and lasting work in music. It also separates established biographical facts from details that are not publicly confirmed.
Background: Who Was Quincy Jones?
Quincy Delight Jones Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 14, 1933. He was raised in Seattle and began developing his musical skills as a teenager before moving to New York in the early 1950s. The National Endowment for the Arts identifies him as a bandleader, trumpeter, composer, arranger and producer.
Jones eventually became one of the most recognizable figures behind American popular music. His work connected jazz musicians and orchestras with singers and pop performers, while his career also expanded into film, television, record companies and entertainment production.
He became especially famous for his collaborations with Michael Jackson. Jones produced Jackson’s Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad, helping shape a period of Jackson’s career that became central to the history of popular music. The Associated Press also identified his production of Thriller as one of the defining achievements of his career.
Latest Update
Current searches for “Quincy Jones obituary” can therefore refer to memorial information, his career legacy, his family, or renewed interest in his music rather than a newly reported death. The National Endowment for the Arts continues to list his date of death as November 3, 2024.
The cause of death was later identified as pancreatic cancer. The Los Angeles Times reported in November 2024 that his death certificate listed pancreatic cancer as the cause and stated that no other factors contributed to his death.
Key fact: Quincy Jones died in 2024, not 2026. Reports suggesting a new death in September 2026 would be incorrect unless they refer to another person with the same name.
Following his death, Jones was privately laid to rest in Los Angeles. His family also indicated that a larger public memorial was being planned, although the initial reports did not provide a date for that event.
Full Profile
Family and Early Life
Quincy Jones was born into a family with musical and working-class roots in Chicago. His father, Quincy Delight Jones Sr., worked as a carpenter and later became a groundskeeper. His mother, Sarah Frances Jones, was involved in domestic work and had a background that included mental-health challenges, according to biographical accounts.
Jones’ family moved to Seattle while he was young. It was there that he began studying music and developed an interest in the trumpet. His teenage years in Seattle helped set the direction for the professional music career that followed.
Career Path
Jones began working professionally in music during the 1950s. He became an arranger and musician and worked with figures including Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie. The National Endowment for the Arts notes that Jones also worked on U.S. State Department tours with Gillespie’s band, experiences that broadened his musical and leadership skills.
His career later expanded into film scoring and Hollywood production. He composed or arranged music for films and television and became one of the first prominent Black executives to gain major influence in Hollywood.
Jones also worked with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and many other major performers. His credits eventually covered jazz, R&B, soul, pop, film music and television.
In 1985, Jones served as the producer of “We Are the World,” the charity recording involving numerous leading American musicians. He also helped develop television projects and founded Quincy Jones Productions and Qwest Records.
Age
Quincy Jones was 91 years old when he died. He was born March 14, 1933, and died November 3, 2024.
Religion
Quincy Jones’ religious and spiritual views were discussed in different interviews and biographical accounts, but there is no need to assign a specific denomination to him without a clear, authoritative statement. His public life was primarily documented through his music, business, humanitarian work and family.
Spouse and Partner
Jones was married three times. His marriages were to Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Andersson and actress Peggy Lipton, and each marriage ended in divorce. The Guardian’s obituary records these three marriages and identifies his children from those relationships and other partnerships.
Jones also had relationships outside his marriages, including a relationship with actress Nastassja Kinski. He had children with several women during his lifetime.
Net Worth
Quincy Jones’ exact net worth at the time of his death was not established by an official estate figure in the reliable sources reviewed for this article. Online estimates have varied widely and should not be presented as confirmed financial facts.
Parents
Quincy Jones was the son of Quincy Delight Jones Sr. and Sarah Frances Jones. His father worked in manual trades and later served as a groundskeeper, while his mother had worked in domestic employment.
Jones’ childhood included a move from Chicago to Seattle, where his interest in music developed into serious study and performance.
Height
Quincy Jones’ height has been reported differently across online biography websites, and no authoritative source reviewed for this article establishes a definitive measurement. His height is therefore not listed as a confirmed fact.
Education
Jones studied music in Seattle before receiving a scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music, then known as the Schillinger House. He did not remain there for a conventional long-term degree program because his professional music opportunities expanded rapidly.
His practical education came heavily through performance, arranging and working alongside established musicians. His early professional relationships helped him develop the arranging and production skills that later became central to his career.
Hometown and State of Origin
Quincy Jones was born in Chicago, Illinois, making Chicago his birthplace and state of origin. He was raised in Seattle, Washington, after his family moved there during his childhood. The National Endowment for the Arts lists Chicago as his birthplace and notes that he was brought up in Seattle.
Official Social Media
Quincy Jones’ official digital presence is maintained through his official website and associated social channels. His public profiles include the Instagram account associated with @quincyjones and the X account associated with @QuincyDJones.
Official Quincy Jones Instagram
Quincy Jones X/Twitter profile
Quick Table
| Profile Detail | Confirmed Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Quincy Delight Jones Jr. |
| Born | March 14, 1933 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois |
| Raised In | Seattle, Washington |
| Died | November 3, 2024 |
| Age at Death | 91 |
| Place of Death | Bel Air, Los Angeles, California |
| Cause of Death | Pancreatic cancer |
| Profession | Producer, composer, arranger, musician and entertainment executive |
| Grammy Awards | 28 |
| Children | Seven |
Reader Questions (FAQ)
When did Quincy Jones die?
Quincy Jones died on November 3, 2024, at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. He was 91 years old.
What was Quincy Jones’ cause of death?
Quincy Jones died from pancreatic cancer. His death certificate, reported by the Los Angeles Times, listed pancreatic cancer as the cause of death and did not identify other contributing factors.
How old was Quincy Jones when he died?
Quincy Jones was 91 years old when he died. He was born March 14, 1933, and died November 3, 2024.
Who was Quincy Jones married to?
Quincy Jones was married three times, to Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Andersson and Peggy Lipton. All three marriages ended in divorce.
How many children did Quincy Jones have?
Quincy Jones had seven children. They included Jolie, Martina, Quincy Jones III, Kidada, Rashida, Kenya and Rachel, according to the Guardian’s obituary.
What was Quincy Jones famous for?
Quincy Jones was famous for producing music, composing, arranging and working with some of the biggest artists in American music. He is particularly known for producing Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad, as well as for his work with Frank Sinatra and many other artists.
How many Grammy Awards did Quincy Jones win?
Quincy Jones won 28 Grammy Awards during his career. The National Endowment for the Arts recognizes his extensive achievements across music and identifies him as a major figure in American jazz and popular music.
Where was Quincy Jones born?
Quincy Jones was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 14, 1933. He was later raised in Seattle, Washington, where he began developing his musical abilities.
Did Quincy Jones produce Thriller?
Yes. Quincy Jones produced Michael Jackson’s Thriller, one of the defining albums of Jackson’s career. His work with Jackson also included the albums Off the Wall and Bad.
Is Quincy Jones still alive in 2026?
No. Quincy Jones died on November 3, 2024, at age 91. Current searches in 2026 should not be interpreted as evidence of a new death announcement.
Wrap-Up
Quincy Jones left behind a career that connected generations and musical styles. From his beginnings as a young trumpeter and arranger to his later work as a producer, composer, executive and humanitarian, he became a major figure in American entertainment.
His collaborations with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and many other artists remain central to his public legacy. His 28 Grammy wins and decades of work across music, film and television reflect the unusually broad range of his career.
For readers searching for the Quincy Jones obituary today, the central confirmed facts remain clear: he died on November 3, 2024, at age 91, and his death certificate listed pancreatic cancer as the cause. His music and production work continue to keep his name relevant to audiences years after his passing.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information from authoritative and established sources, including the National Endowment for the Arts, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times and published obituary coverage. Details that could not be independently confirmed, such as an exact net-worth figure or definitive height measurement, have not been presented as facts. Information about Quincy Jones’ life and legacy may be updated when additional authoritative records become available.
