The Legacy of Quincy Jones

I recently acquired a remarkable book titled The Complete Quincy Jones, published in 2008. This grand coffee table volume is brimming with ephemera, so rich and varied that it almost spills over with photos, reproductions of letters, sheet music, newspaper clippings, and even report cards. Transporting this treasure from the store to my home requires a plan, given its substantial size and weight. Some of the materials are affixed to the pages, creating the feeling that Jones, who passed away on Sunday, meticulously assembled this collection just for me, despite my name not being anywhere near Oprah Winfrey’s heartfelt “thank you” note. One unglued news article from a 1989 edition of The International Herald Tribune now serves as a bookmark, ironically reading: “Quincy Jones: Black Music’s Bernstein.”

This volume is a constellatory, celebratory, and classy tribute, much like the music to which Jones dedicated the majority of his 91 years. As I navigated through its pages, I was struck by the realization of his profound ubiquity. I was aware of his impressive connections—Maya Angelou penned the preface, Clint Eastwood contributed the foreword, Bono wrote the introduction, and Sidney Poitier provided the afterword. However, it wasn’t until I immersed myself in this book that I truly understood another aspect: Jones was an extraordinary connector, a sort of human ligament.

Of course, this connective quality is also evident in his music. Jones was a master of various brass instruments—sousaphone, trombone, tuba, and horns—but ultimately found his voice with the trumpet. He quickly emerged as an ace arranger and producer, renowned for his ability to synthesize diverse musical elements. His musical approach was characterized not by the erasure of boundaries but by a celebration of confluence, blending genres and styles—bossa nova with jazz, Donna Summer covering Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Van Halen collaborating with Michael Jackson. He produced records, crafted film scores, and orchestrated concerts, famously contributing to projects like “We Are the World” and Vibe magazine, all illustrating his remarkable ability to forge connections.

This wasn’t merely about iconoclasm, nor was it strictly tied to the civil rights movement, although it certainly resonated with those themes. Instead, it was Jones’s vision, curiosity, and impeccable taste that transcended artificial boundaries. His music encapsulated a rich tapestry of influences—African percussion, R&B rhythms, lush string arrangements, and soaring falsettos—reflecting the essence of what America represents. He orchestrated the very sound of America, enriching it while understanding what makes it resonate. It’s worth noting that he played a pivotal role in launching one of the most-watched television events in history, Roots, and produced the best-selling album of all time, Thriller. These achievements perfectly embody the depth and vibrancy of the Quincy Jones experience.

However, there is another, equally compelling facet of his experience, beautifully illustrated throughout The Complete Quincy Jones. In nearly every photograph, he radiates joy and warmth, appearing genuinely delighted to be wherever he is. You can find him standing alongside Hillary Clinton, engaging in conversation with Colin Powell, sharing laughter with Nelson Mandela, or perched beneath a conductor’s podium with legends like Frank Sinatra and Count Basie. In one particularly endearing image, he has an arm around both Sarah Vaughan and Chaka Khan. In another, he affectionately plants a kiss on Clarence Avant’s cheek while playfully pressing his cheek against Barbra Streisand’s—who humorously signed that photograph: “My big ole black butt is sticking out — isn’t it?” (and I must say, her dress truly is dark). A large spread dedicated to The Color Purple, which he produced and scored, showcases a touching photo of him forehead to forehead with author Alice Walker. Lastly, there’s a captivating image of him gazing upward alongside Leonard Bernstein at the Sistine Chapel, highlighting the remarkable depth of his connections and experiences.