Musician, producer, and Penn honorary degree-holder Quincy Jones dies at 91

Musician and producer Quincy Jones, who received an honorary degree from former University President Amy Gutmann at the 249th Commencement in 2005, passed away on Nov. 3 at the age of 91.

With a career spanning more than 75 years, Quincy Jones worked as a bandleader, solo artist, sideman, songwriter, producer, arranger, film composer, and record label executive. Jones’ publicist Arnold Robinson confirmed he died Sunday night surrounded by his family at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. No cause of death has been reported.

Jones was born on the South Side of Chicago in 1933 and later grew up in Seattle, where he developed his musical skills as a trumpeter and arranger. He first rose to prominence in the 1950s by collaborating with musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Charles before producing hit records for Lesley Gore, including “It’s My Party” in the 1960s. He went on to collaborate with several artists, such as Frank Sinatra and jazz artist Count Basie, as an arranger and conductor.

In the 1980s, Jones produced some of Michael Jackson's most successful albums, including "Off the Wall," "Bad," and "Thriller," which remains the best-selling album of all time. He produced and conducted the charity song "We Are the World" in 1985 to raise funds for victims of famine in Ethiopia.

Jones also co-produced and scored the 1985 film "The Color Purple," as well as created the 1990s television show "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and its iconic theme song. 

Jones received many accolades, including 28 Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award, as well as nominations for seven Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. He was to receive an honorary Academy Award later this month. 

Jones was one of the five honorees at Penn’s 249th Commencement, held on May 16, 2005, at Franklin Field.