EPA
Quincy Jones once stated, “Music is sacred to me. Melody is God’s voice.”
He truly possessed a divine touch. Jones, who passed away at the age of 91, was a key figure in the careers of Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, shaping the worlds of jazz and pop over six decades.
His innovative recordings broke barriers, blending genres, fostering unexpected collaborations, and influencing modern production techniques.
Below are 10 tracks that highlight his versatility and genius in the studio, showcasing his ability to bring out the best in the artists he collaborated with.
1) Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
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Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson at the 1984 Grammy Awards
Jones and Jackson first crossed paths on the set of the 1978 film The Wiz, leading to Jones producing Jackson’s groundbreaking albums Off The Wall and Thriller.
Their collaboration on Thriller, in particular, changed the landscape of pop music, with hits like Billie Jean breaking racial barriers and captivating audiences worldwide.
Despite initial hesitation about Billie Jean’s long instrumental intro, Jones trusted Jackson’s instinct and crafted a lean, funky arrangement that became iconic in pop history.
2) Frank Sinatra – Come Fly With Me (Live at The Sands)
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Jones and Sinatra’s enduring friendship extended beyond the recording studio, culminating in a legendary residency at The Sands hotel in Las Vegas.
Their collaboration on classics like Come Fly With Me showcased Jones’s innovative arrangements and Sinatra’s timeless vocals.
3) Lesley Gore – It’s My Party
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Jones’s discovery of Lesley Gore led to the creation of the hit song It’s My Party, showcasing his talent for crafting emotionally resonant arrangements.
4) Quincy Jones – Summer In The City
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Jones’s reinterpretation of Summer In The City by The Lovin’ Spoonful exemplifies his ability to transform a rock classic into a soulful masterpiece.
5) Dinah Washington – Mad About The Boy
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Jones’s arrangement of Mad About The Boy showcases his talent for reimagining songs with a fresh, captivating perspective.
EPA: Originally performed by four women expressing their love for a film star, possibly Douglas Fairbanks Jr, while waiting in line to see one of his movies. Dinah Washington later covered the song in 1961, slowing it down and changing the time signature to 6/8, adding a new sensuality to the lyrics. The song gained popularity in 1992 after being used in a Levis advert and entering the UK charts.
Quincy Jones – Soul Bossa Nova: Inspired by the Brazilian music fad of the early 60s, Jones created this lively song with flutes, trombones, and a cuíca drum. The song lasted beyond the bossa nova craze, becoming a soundtrack for Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery.
Michael Jackson – Beat It: Jones and Jackson worked tirelessly to make Thriller a successful pop album, with Beat It being a key track that aimed to break Jackson into US rock radio. Jones instructed Jackson to create a “black version” of The Knack’s hit song My Sharona, leading to the iconic guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen.
The Brothers Johnson – Strawberry Letter #23: Jones discovered the Johnson brothers and helped them achieve mainstream success with this 1977 hit. The song’s romantic psychedelia resonated with audiences, reaching number 13 on the charts and later being featured in the film Jackie Brown.
Sarah Vaughan – Misty: Jones, known for his work in jazz, collaborated with Sarah Vaughan on the ballad Misty, giving it a new depth and emotion. The song features lush orchestration and Vaughan’s soulful vocals, creating a unique and memorable rendition. Jones paid tribute to Vaughan after her passing, highlighting her musical brilliance and sophistication. “La EPA
“Tuvimos un viaje bastante juntos, y nunca olvidaré cada momento que tuvimos, porque cada momento fue especial.”
10) USA Para África – Somos el Mundo
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Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson y Lionel Richie se felicitan mutuamente después de que We Are The World gane cuatro premios Grammy en 1986
“Deja tu ego en la puerta,” dijo el letrero escrito a mano que Quincy Jones colocó en la puerta de su estudio de grabación en 1985.
La ocasión fue la grabación de We Are The World – un sencillo solidario lleno de estrellas que tenía como objetivo recaudar dinero para la ayuda contra la hambruna en Etiopía.
Escrita por Lionel Richie y Michael Jackson, la canción contó con las voces de Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Dionne Warwick y Bob Dylan, todas grabadas en una sola noche.
Reunir a los cantantes fue un dolor de cabeza masivo, como reveló el reciente documental de Netflix The Greatest Night In Pop.
En un momento, Stevie Wonder insistió en que algunas de las letras debían ser reescritas en suajili, a pesar de que la gente de Etiopía, que sería la principal beneficiaria del recaudador de fondos para la ayuda contra la hambruna, habla principalmente otros idiomas.
Jones supervisó toda la sesión con la paciencia y sabiduría de un productor que lo había visto todo.
Los resultados no son particularmente buenos – la canción es empalagosa y demasiado larga – pero el hecho de que sea coherente en absoluto es un testimonio de su habilidad como productor, arreglista, mentor y árbitro.
Al final, la canción recaudó más de $63 millones ($227 millones o £178 millones ajustados por inflación); y Jones la recordó como uno de sus logros más orgullosos.
“Nunca antes ni después he experimentado la alegría que sentí esa noche trabajando con este rico, complejo tapiz humano de amor, talento y gracia,” escribió en su autobiografía de 2002.
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