Will Smith, Kamala Harris, Steven Spielberg, Colman Domingo, LL Cool J and More Remember Quincy Jones: ‘Music Would Not Be Music Without You’

Tributes are rolling in for late music legend Quincy Jones, who died on Sunday night at the age of 91.

Over the course of his 70-year career, Jones was an artist, bandleader, composer, arranger and producer. He won 28 Grammys and most notably shaped the career of Michael Jackson, beginning with his breakthrough 1979 album “Off the Wall.”

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the Jones family said in a statement announcing his death. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him. He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”

Vice President Kamala Harris wrote, “Quincy Jones was a trailblazer. He lived his life unapologetically, using his gifts to lift others up. He broke down barriers and opened doors for those who came after him, not for praise but because he knew the power of our shared potential.”

For more than half a century, as a composer, arranger, record and movie producer, Quincy Jones created art that brought joy to millions of people. As an activist, Quincy Jones championed civil and human rights. He brought together artists who wanted to unite their voices to drive change. As a role model, in particular for young people of color in the music industry, Quincy Jones offered inspiration and mentorship.”

I was honored to call Quincy a friend. I will always remember his generosity of spirit, his selfless support, and his deep kindness. Our world has lost a giant. But in his melodies, and in the lives he touched, Quincy’s legacy will live on forever.”

Today, Doug and I are praying for the Jones family and all those who loved him,” her statement concluded.

This sentiment was echoed in remembrances shared throughout the music industry and Hollywood. Michael Caine, who starred in 1969’s “The Italian Job,” which Jones scored, called him his “celestial twin.” The two were both born on March 14, 1933.

“My Celestial twin Quincy was a titan in the musical world,” Caine wrote on X. “He was a wonderful and unique human being, lucky to have known him.”

Meanwhile, actor Colman Domingo recalled the first time he met Jones. Domingo starred in 2023’s “The Color Purple” remake, which Jones produced alongside Steven Spielberg, who directed the 1985 film that Jones scored.

“He asked, where are you from? Philly I replied, his eyes twinkled and he talked about the Uptown Theater,” Domingo wrote on X. “I was so thrilled to meet Mr. American Music himself. I literally kneeled because he was a King. Thank you Mr. Quincy Jones for giving us all the sound.”

Morgan Freeman said in a statement, “Today we say goodbye to the legendary Quincy Jones – a musical giant whose genius reshaped our world and left an enduring legacy. Rest well.”

Will Smith, star of the Jones-produced “Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” wrote in a social media post, “He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”

Steven Spielberg, who directed “The Color Purple,” which Jones produced and wrote the music for, shared a deeply personal remembrance.

“For all of us who value what Quincy Jones contributed to art, society and the human race, he was the World..we are his children,” Spielberg said in a statement. “Never to be forgotten for his inimitable talent and legendary contribution to music and culture, and the goal of healing the world, Q was also a profoundly wonderful mentor, a doer and a uniter. Most of all, he was our friend. All of us who were lucky enough to be in his circle were given nicknames by Q. Mine was ‘Carl,’ because in 1980 when we met, my answering machine had a voice message where you heard me doing a terrible impression of Carl Sagan. He never called me by my first name again. He was deeply committed to family. Everyone close to him felt special and blessed just to listen and learn and laugh. Just yesterday, like he had for the past 33 years, he sent flowers to my wife Kate for her birthday. We will miss him, but there is so much of him surrounding us to keep him close.”

In a statement, Michael Jackson’s estate wrote: “Michael Jackson had tremendous admiration for Quincy’s spirit and vision.  Together they produced Michael’s three massive worldwide hit albums, enduring masterpieces of contemporary music: ‘Off the Wall,’ ‘Bad’ and ‘Thriller,’ the mass cultural and media phenomenon that remains the biggest selling album of all time.  Another collaboration, ‘We Are the World,’ written by Michael and Lionel Richie, and produced by Quincy, became one of the biggest selling singles ever and raised funds for the 1983-1985 famine in Ethiopia.   
 
“Quincy changed the course of popular music numerous times during his illustrious career, widening its horizons and bringing his take on jazz, R&B and pop to the mainstream.   We celebrate his spirit and honor his tremendous contribution to our understanding and appreciation of music.”

In a post on Instagram, LL Cool J said Jones was “a father and example at a time when I truly needed a father and example. Mentor. Role model. King.”

He added, “You gave me opportunities and shared wisdom. Music would not be music without you. My condolences to the entire family. I love you. Rest in the sweetest music eternally.”

Playwright Jeremy O Harris wrote on X, “What couldn’t he do? Quincy Jones, literally born when the limits on how big a black boy could dream were unfathomably high, taught us that the limit does not exist. His contributions to American culture were limitless. First black person nominated for an Oscar for best score. First black person nominated later twice in the same year. The producer of inarguably the biggest albums of the 20th century. An EGOT. Father to some of pretty incredibly talented children as well and godfather to musicians around the world. RIP QUINCY.”

DJ and producer David Guetta shared a photo of him and Jones on X and said “it’s hard to find the words to express the impact @QuincyDJones has had on me, as well as on music and culture as a whole.”

He added, “Quincy wasn’t just a legend, he was an inspiration, a trailblazer, and a true genius. He produced my favorite album of all time, ‘Thriller’ by @michaeljackson, an album that set the standard for what music could be, blending genres and pushing boundaries. I had the honor of meeting Quincy, notably at the Grammys @RecordingAcad, where we even had the chance to speak in French, a language he mastered so beautifully. Those moments will stay with me forever. Thank you, Quincy, for all you’ve given us. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists to come.”