Quincy Jones biography, net worth, spouse, family, children

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<p><strong>Biography</strong></p>

<h2>Early Life and Education</h2>

<p>Quincy Jones was born on March 14, 1933, on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. Raised in a low-income neighborhood, Jones briefly became involved in local gangs during his youth. At the age of 10, his family relocated to Seattle, Washington, where he spent the remainder of his childhood. It was in school that he discovered a passion for music and began playing the trumpet. He continued his musical training under legendary <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Terry">trumpeter</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Terry">Clark Terry</a>. Jones later attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he honed his skills in composition and arrangement.</p>

<p>At 19, he toured Europe with a band, an experience that exposed him to a diversity of cultures and musical styles. His early career gained momentum in the 1950s as a jazz arranger and conductor. He worked with prominent artists such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Charles">Ray Charles</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Ellington">Duke Ellington</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Hampton">Lionel Hampton</a>. In 1956, Jones briefly performed with the orchestra on the CBS Stage Show. The following year, he moved to Paris to study under renowned <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadia_Boulanger">composition teacher</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadia_Boulanger">Nadia Boulanger</a>, further developing his musical craft while collaborating with various European artists.</p>

<h2>Mercury Records and Industry Milestones</h2>

<p>In 1961, Jones joined Mercury Records and quickly rose through the ranks to become <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Americans">vice president</a>—the first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Americans">African American</a> to hold such a position at a major U.S. record label. During the 1960s, he expanded his repertoire by composing scores for films and television. His film scoring career marked a significant shift in his artistry and brought his work to a broader audience.</p>

<h2>Film and Television Productions</h2>

<p>In 1985, Jones co-produced <a href="/biography/steven-spielberg">Steven Spielberg</a>’s film adaptation of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Walker">Alice Walker</a>’s novel <em>The Color Purple</em>, launching a prolific career in film production. In 1990, he established Quincy Jones Entertainment, a multimedia company focused on film and television production, where he served as CEO and chairman. Through this venture, he co-produced a number of successful television programs, including <em>The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air</em>, <em>In the House</em>, and <em>Mad TV</em>.</p>

<p>Jones expanded into publishing in 1991 by launching <em>VIBE</em> magazine, a publication dedicated to urban culture and music. In 2001, he released his best-selling autobiography, <em>Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones</em>. Over the years, he also served as executive producer for major televised events such as <em>An American Reunion</em> in 1993 and the 1996 Academy Awards.</p>

<h2>Iconic Musical Collaborations</h2>

<p>Jones is perhaps best known for his groundbreaking work as a record producer. He produced several of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson">Michael Jackson</a>’s most acclaimed albums, including <em>Off the Wall</em> (1979), <em>Thriller</em> (1982), and <em>Bad</em> (1987), as well as the charity anthem “We Are the World” (1985), which he co-produced with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Richie">Lionel Richie</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson">Michael Jackson</a>. Jones also enjoyed a longstanding collaboration with <a href="/biography/frank-sinatra">Frank Sinatra</a>, further cementing his legacy in American popular music.</p>

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<h2>Awards and Honors</h2>

<p>Jones’s extensive career has earned him widespread recognition. He holds the record for being the most Grammy-nominated individual in history, with 79 nominations and 27 wins, including the Grammy Legend Award in 1991. In 2013, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.</p>

<p>In 1967, Jones and his <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Russell_(songwriter)">songwriting partner</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Russell_(songwriter)">Bob Russell</a> became the first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Americans">African Americans</a> nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score. Jones has received a total of seven Oscar nominations, tying him for the second-most nominations among <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Americans">African Americans</a>, behind <a href="/biography/denzel-washington">Denzel Washington</a>’s nine nominations for acting and producing roles.</p>

<h2>Philanthropy and Social Impact</h2>

<p>A dedicated philanthropist, Jones began his activism in the 1960s, notably supporting the civil rights movement led by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr.">Dr.</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr.">Martin Luther King Jr</a>. Over time, he founded multiple initiatives aimed at promoting arts and music education for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Americans">Black Americans</a>. Jones supports a wide array of charitable organizations, including the NAACP, GLAAD, AmfAR, HealthCorps, and We Are the Future—all reflecting his commitment to humanitarian and cultural causes.</p>

<h2>Net Worth</h2>

<p>Though he faced financial instability early in his career, Jones's continued success in music, television, film, and publishing has established him as one of the wealthiest figures in the entertainment industry. His estimated net worth is approximately $400 million.</p>

<h2>Personal Life and Family</h2>

<p>Quincy Jones was born to Quincy Delight Jones Sr., a carpenter and semi-professional baseball player, and Sarah Frances, a bank officer. After his parents divorced, his father remarried Elvera Jones, and the family grew to include three step-siblings. His paternal grandmother was born into slavery in Kentucky, a testament to the resilience and legacy that shaped Jones’s outlook on life.</p>

<h2>Spouses and Children</h2>

<p>Jones has been married three times. His first marriage was to Jeri Caldwell from 1957 to 1966. He later married Swedish <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulla_Jones">actress</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulla_Jones">Ulla Andersson</a>, with whom he had two children. Following their divorce in 1974, he married <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Lipton">actress</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Lipton">Peggy Lipton</a>; their marriage lasted until 1990. In total, Jones has seven children—six daughters and one son. Among them is <a href="/biography/rashida-jones">actress</a> <a href="/biography/rashida-jones">Rashida Jones</a>, his <a href="/biography/rashida-jones">daughter</a> with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Lipton">Lipton</a>, who co-produced the 2018 biographical documentary <em>Quincy</em>, offering an intimate look at his life and legacy.</p>

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