Full History Of Quincy Jones In Timeline From 1933

March 14, 1933: Birth of Quincy Jones

Quincy Delight Jones Jr. was born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois.

1943: Moving to Bremerton, Washington

In 1943, Quincy Jones' family relocated to Bremerton, Washington, due to his father's wartime job at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

1951: Attending Seattle University and Berklee College of Music

Quincy Jones pursued higher education starting in 1951, first with a scholarship to Seattle University and later transferring to the Berklee College of Music in Boston on another scholarship.

1953: European Tour with Lionel Hampton

At the age of 20, Quincy Jones embarked on a European tour with jazz bandleader Lionel Hampton in 1953, an experience that profoundly shifted his perspective on racism in the United States.

1956: Working on CBS' Stage Show and Touring with Dizzy Gillespie

In early 1956, Quincy Jones took a temporary job at CBS' "Stage Show", playing trumpet in the band that supported Elvis Presley in his first television appearances. Later that year, he toured as a trumpeter and musical director for Dizzy Gillespie in the Middle East and South America.

1957: Moving to Paris and Working with Barclay Records

Quincy Jones made a significant move to Paris in 1957, where he immersed himself in studying composition and theory while also performing at the Paris Olympia. He also took on the role of music director at Barclay, a French record company.

1957: Quincy Jones Marries Jeri Caldwell

Quincy Jones married Jeri Caldwell in 1957.

1958: First Collaboration with Frank Sinatra

Quincy Jones's first collaboration with Frank Sinatra took place in 1958 when Princess Grace invited him to arrange a benefit concert at the Monaco Sporting Club.

February 1960: Formation and Dissolution of The Jones Boys

In February 1960, after a European tour with Harold Arlen's musical, Jones formed his big band, The Jones Boys. Despite positive reception, the band faced financial difficulties and eventually disbanded.

1961: Vice President at Mercury and Film Scoring Debut

In 1961, Quincy Jones made history by becoming the first African American to be appointed vice-president of Mercury Records. That same year, he embarked on his film scoring career with "The Pawnbroker," marking the first of many successful projects in the world of cinema.

1962: "Soul Bossa Nova" Released

Quincy Jones released the track "Soul Bossa Nova" as part of his album "Big Band Bossa Nova" in 1962.

1963: Success with Lesley Gore

Quincy Jones produced a string of hit singles for Lesley Gore in 1963, including "It's My Party" and "She's a Fool," which both climbed the charts and showcased Jones's talent for crafting pop hits.

1964: It Might as Well Be Swing

Quincy Jones arranged and conducted Frank Sinatra's second album with Count Basie, "It Might as Well Be Swing", released in 1964.

1964: "The Pawnbroker" Release and Continued Success

Quincy Jones's score for "The Pawnbroker" was released in 1964, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile and talented composer. He subsequently relocated to Los Angeles, where he continued to be in high demand for film scoring projects.

1964: Continued Collaboration with Lesley Gore

The successful partnership between Quincy Jones and Lesley Gore continued in 1964 with hits like "You Don't Own Me" and "Maybe I Know," further cementing their mark on the music scene.

June 1965: Dismas House Benefit Concert

In June 1965, Quincy Jones conducted and arranged a benefit concert in St. Louis, Missouri for Dismas House, featuring Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Johnny Carson with the Count Basie Orchestra. The event was filmed and broadcasted to movie theaters nationwide and later released on VHS.

October 16, 1965: The Hollywood Palace TV Show Appearance

On October 16, 1965, Quincy Jones served as the arranger and conductor for Frank Sinatra and Count Basie's appearance on The Hollywood Palace TV show.

1965: Producing Lesley Gore's "Look of Love"

In 1965, Quincy Jones produced Lesley Gore's rendition of the song "Look of Love," adding another successful collaboration to their impressive repertoire.

1965: Prolific Film Scoring and Television Work

Quincy Jones's career flourished in 1965 as he composed scores for films like "Mirage" and "The Slender Thread." This period marked the beginning of his prolific career in television, composing iconic themes for shows such as "Sanford and Son" and "Ironside."

1966: Conclusion of Collaboration with Lesley Gore

Quincy Jones's productive collaboration with Lesley Gore came to an end in 1966, marking the end of an era that yielded numerous chart-topping hits.

1966: Sinatra at the Sands

Quincy Jones took on the role of arranger and conductor for Frank Sinatra's live album with the Count Basie Band, "Sinatra at the Sands", in 1966.

1966: Quincy Jones and Jeri Caldwell Divorce

Quincy Jones and Jeri Caldwell divorced in 1966.

1967: Quincy Jones Marries Ulla Andersson

Quincy Jones married Swedish actress Ulla Andersson in 1967.

1967: First African American Nominated Twice in the Same Year

Quincy Jones was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score for his work on the 1967 film "In Cold Blood", making him the first African American to be nominated twice in the same year.

1968: First African American Nominated for Best Original Song

Quincy Jones became the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1968, for "The Eyes of Love" from the film "Banning".

1971: First African American Musical Director of the Academy Awards

Quincy Jones became the first African American to be the musical director and conductor of the Academy Awards in 1971.

1972: Discovering Family History with Alex Haley

With the help of author Alex Haley, Quincy Jones delved into his family history in 1972, uncovering his ancestral roots and connections.

1974: Quincy Jones' Brain Aneurysm and Mock Memorial

In 1974, Quincy Jones experienced a life-threatening brain aneurysm. Believing his death was imminent, his family and friends organized a memorial service, which he attended. The event included performances by notable entertainers.

1974: Quincy Jones and Ulla Andersson Divorce

Quincy Jones and Ulla Andersson divorced in 1974.

1975: Qwest Productions Founded

In 1975, Quincy Jones took a significant step in his career by establishing Qwest Productions, his own production company, which would go on to produce successful albums for renowned artists like Frank Sinatra.

1978: Producing "The Wiz" Soundtrack

Quincy Jones lent his production talents to the soundtrack of "The Wiz" in 1978, a musical adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" starring Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.

1979: Release of Off the Wall

Quincy Jones produced "Off the Wall", Michael Jackson's fifth studio album, released in 1979.

1981: "The Dude" Album and Chart-Topping Hits

Quincy Jones released the album "The Dude" in 1981, which featured a collection of hit songs including "Ai No Corrida," "Just Once," and "One Hundred Ways," further cementing his influence on the music scene.

1982: Producing Michael Jackson's "Thriller"

Quincy Jones achieved a groundbreaking milestone in music history in 1982 when he produced Michael Jackson's album "Thriller," which went on to become the best-selling album of all time, solidifying his place as a musical visionary.

1982: Release of Thriller

Quincy Jones produced Michael Jackson's sixth studio album, "Thriller", which was released in 1982.

1984: L.A. Is My Lady

Nineteen years after their initial collaborations, Frank Sinatra and Quincy Jones teamed up again for the 1984 album "L.A. Is My Lady".

1985: We Are the World

In 1985, Quincy Jones produced and conducted "We Are the World," a charity single originally recorded by the supergroup USA for Africa, to raise funds for victims of famine in Ethiopia.

1985: "We Are the World" and Philanthropic Efforts

In 1985, Quincy Jones spearheaded the recording of the iconic charity single "We Are the World" to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The project brought together some of the biggest names in music, demonstrating his influence and dedication to social causes.

1985: "The Color Purple" and Oscar Recognition

Quincy Jones added film producer to his list of accomplishments with "The Color Purple" in 1985. The film received critical acclaim, garnering 11 Oscar nominations, including one for Jones's score, and introduced the world to the talents of Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey.

1986: Expansion of Qwest Entertainment

Quincy Jones expanded his entrepreneurial ventures in 1986 by establishing Qwest Film and Television, a move that reflected his ambitions beyond the music industry. This expansion led to the creation of Qwest Home Video, further solidifying his presence in the entertainment world.

1987: Release of Bad

Quincy Jones produced "Bad", Michael Jackson's seventh studio album, released in 1987.

1989: Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton Divorce

Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton divorced in 1989.

February 10, 1990: Saturday Night Live Hosting

Quincy Jones hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live on February 10, 1990, notable for having a record-breaking 10 musical guests.

1990: Quincy Jones Entertainment and Television Production

Quincy Jones Entertainment (QJE) was formed in 1990 through a partnership with Time Warner. This new venture led to a successful foray into television production, including the iconic show "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," which launched the career of Will Smith.

1991: Quincy Jones and Nastassja Kinski's Relationship Begins

Quincy Jones and Nastassja Kinski began their relationship in 1991.

1991: Collaboration with Miles Davis

Quincy Jones convinced Miles Davis to revisit his earlier work in 1991, resulting in the live album "Miles & Quincy Live at Montreux." This collaboration would be one of Davis's final recordings before his passing later that year.

1992: Grammy Legend Award

In 1992, Quincy Jones received the Grammy Legend Award, in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry.

1993: "An American Reunion" and Company Renaming

In 1993, Quincy Jones, in collaboration with David Salzman, produced "An American Reunion," a concert to celebrate Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration. The same year, Jones renamed his company to Quincy Jones/David Salzman Entertainment, reflecting the new partnership.

1994: Tupac Shakur Criticizes Quincy Jones, Rashida Jones Responds

In 1994, rapper Tupac Shakur publicly criticized Quincy Jones for his relationships with white women. Jones's daughter, Rashida Jones, responded with a pointed open letter published in The Source magazine.

1994: Production of "The Jenny Jones Show"

Quincy Jones Entertainment, in collaboration with Telepictures Productions, began producing "The Jenny Jones Show" in 1994, further diversifying their television portfolio.

1995: Quincy Jones and Nastassja Kinski's Relationship Ends

Quincy Jones and Nastassja Kinski's relationship ended in 1995.

1995: MADtv Production

Quincy Jones produced the sketch comedy show MADtv, which aired from 1995 to 2009.

1995: Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

Quincy Jones was the first African American to receive the Academy's Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995.

1997: "Soul Bossa Nova" Featured in "Austin Powers"

In 1997, Quincy Jones's 1962 composition "Soul Bossa Nova" gained a new wave of popularity when it was featured as the theme song for the spy comedy film "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery."

1997: Conclusion of "The Jenny Jones Show"

Quincy Jones's involvement in "The Jenny Jones Show" concluded in 1997, marking the end of a successful run for the television program.

1998: Death of Quincy Jones' Brother

Quincy Jones' younger brother, Lloyd, who worked as an engineer for Seattle television station KOMO-TV, died in 1998.

1999: Fantasia 2000 Appearance

Quincy Jones made an appearance in the 1999 Walt Disney Pictures animated film Fantasia 2000, introducing George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

1999: Death of Quincy Jones' Mother

Quincy Jones' mother, Sarah Frances (née Wells), passed away in 1999.

2000: Austin Powers in Goldmember Cameo

In 2000, Quincy Jones had a cameo appearance as himself in the film Austin Powers in Goldmember.

2001: Quincy Jones Joins Jazz Foundation of America Board

In 2001, Quincy Jones became an honorary member of the board of directors for the Jazz Foundation of America, working to support aging jazz and blues musicians.

2001: Publication of Autobiography

In 2001, Quincy Jones shared his life story with the world through his autobiography, "Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones," offering insights into his extraordinary journey in the music industry.

2001: Audio Interviews for Special Edition Albums

In 2001, audio interviews featuring Quincy Jones were included in the special editions of Michael Jackson's albums "Off the Wall", "Thriller", and "Bad".

2002: Potential Collaboration with Michael Jackson

In a 2002 interview, Michael Jackson hinted at the possibility of working with Quincy Jones again.

2004: We Are the Future Project Launch

In 2004, Quincy Jones was instrumental in launching the We Are the Future (WAF) project, aimed at providing hope and opportunities for children in underprivileged and conflict-ridden areas. A concert in Rome, Italy, marked the project's launch.

2006: African American Lives

For the 2006 PBS television program "African American Lives", Jones had his DNA tested, and genealogists researched his family history.

July 26, 2007: Quincy Jones Endorses Hillary Clinton

On July 26, 2007, Quincy Jones publicly announced his support for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

July 31, 2007: Quincy Jones Video Podcast Launch

Quincy Jones embraced the digital age on July 31, 2007, by launching the Quincy Jones Video Podcast, a platform where he shared his vast experience and knowledge with aspiring musicians and fans alike.

2007: Declining Further Collaboration

In 2007, Quincy Jones, when questioned by NME, expressed that he had already achieved significant success with Michael Jackson and was occupied with numerous other projects, effectively declining the possibility of future collaborations.

February 10, 2008: Grammy Awards Presentation

On February 10, 2008, Quincy Jones, alongside Usher, presented the Grammy Award for Album of the Year to Herbie Hancock.

January 6, 2009: Last Call with Carson Daly Appearance

Quincy Jones appeared on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly on January 6, 2009, to discuss his illustrious career.

June 25, 2009: Michael Jackson's Death

Following Michael Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, Quincy Jones released a statement expressing his grief and condolences.

2009: Producing Anita Hall's "Send Love"

Quincy Jones continued to lend his production expertise to a new generation of artists in 2009, producing Anita Hall's album "Send Love."

2009: End of MADtv

Quincy Jones's involvement with MADtv ended in 2009 when the show concluded its run.

2010: Co-founding Playground Sessions

Driven by his passion for music education, Quincy Jones co-founded Playground Sessions in 2010. This innovative software company focused on teaching people how to play the piano using interactive video lessons, making learning music more accessible.

October 2013: Lawsuit Against Michael Jackson's Estate

In October 2013, Quincy Jones announced plans to sue Michael Jackson's estate for $10 million, alleging improper re-editing of songs he produced, depriving him of royalties and production fees.

2013: Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

In 2013, Quincy Jones was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as the winner, alongside Lou Adler, of the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

2013: Producing Emily Bear's "Diversity"

In 2013, Quincy Jones produced Emily Bear's album "Diversity," showcasing his commitment to fostering emerging talent in the music industry.

February 2014: Keep on Keepin' On Documentary

Quincy Jones appeared in the 2014 documentary Keep on Keepin' On, which centers around his friend, jazz musician Clark Terry.

July 2014: The Distortion of Sound Documentary

In July 2014, Quincy Jones was featured in a documentary film titled The Distortion of Sound.

September 2015: The Pharmacy Appearance and YouTube Collaboration

Quincy Jones appeared on Dr. Dre's Beats 1 Radio show, The Pharmacy, in September 2015. That same year, he was also featured on Jacob Collier's YouTube cover of Michael Jackson's "PYT (Pretty Young Thing)".

February 28, 2016: Oscar Presentation

Quincy Jones, along with Pharrell Williams, presented Ennio Morricone with the Oscar for best film score on February 28, 2016.

August 2016: BBC Proms Feature

Quincy Jones and his music were featured at the BBC Proms in Royal Albert Hall, London in August 2016.

2017: Qwest TV Launch

In 2017, Quincy Jones, in partnership with French producer Reza Ackbaraly, launched Qwest TV, a subscription video-on-demand service dedicated to jazz and eclectic music, expanding the reach of these genres to a global audience.

February 2018: Quincy Jones' Controversial Interview

In February 2018, Quincy Jones gave a controversial interview where he discussed personal beliefs, criticized the Catholic Church, and made claims about historical events and figures. He later apologized, attributing his statements to "word vomit".

March 20, 2020: "Out West" Music Video Appearance

On March 20, 2020, Quincy Jones made a guest appearance in the music video for the song "Out West" by Travis Scott and Young Thug.

January 2022: Dawn FM Album Appearance

In January 2022, Quincy Jones contributed a monologue to "A Tale by Quincy", the sixth track on The Weeknd's album Dawn FM.

History of Quincy Jones in Timeline