Quincy Jones, who passed away on Sunday at 91, left a great mark on the American music landscape, shaping genres from jazz and funk to R&B and pop. Known affectionately as “Q” by Frank Sinatra, Jones’ unparalleled career spanned more than seven decades, each era marked by groundbreaking collaborations and genre-defining work that has inspired generations of musicians.
Jones began as a trumpeter in Lionel Hampton’s band in the early ’50s, before honing his craft in Paris under the guidance of Nadia Boulanger, a revered classical pedagogue. His time in Europe was transformative, providing him with a solid foundation in both jazz and classical music that would later inform his versatile soundscapes.
Jones’s visionary approach to music elevated it to a new art form, touching lives and inspiring future musicians and producers. His recent passing has left the industry mourning a true legend who set the standard for creating musical masterpieces.
Here are a list of 14 essential songs that solidifies his impact on American music:
1. “Evening in Paris” (1957)
Genre: Jazz
In the 1950s, Quincy Jones was a jazz innovator, playing trumpet with Lionel Hampton and working with Mercury Records. This beautiful lush ballad from his album ‘This Is How I Feel About Jazz’ features an all-star band, including Herbie Mann, Zoot Sims, Hank Jones, and Charles Mingus.
2. Ray Charles – “One Mint Julep” (1961)
Genre: R&B & Jazz
After meeting in Seattle as teenagers, Jones and Ray Charles collaborated frequently. In Charles’s ‘Genius + Soul = Jazz’ album, Jones arranged several tracks, including “One Mint Julep,” a lively instrumental that Charles turned into a Top 10 hit with his swing-driven organ lead.
3. “Soul Bossa Nova” (1962)
Genre: Jazz
Known for its playful blend of jazz and Latin influences, ‘Soul Bossa Nova’ became a signature hit for Jones and was famously used in the ‘Austin Powers’ movies. In a 2007 interview with Billboard, Jones revealed that he wrote the song in just 20 minutes, blending whistling flutes, trumpets, and cuíca drums. “‘Soul Bossa Nova’ was a song I wrote in 20 minutes in 1962. Never in a million years could I have imagined that 41 years later, it would be the theme song in all the ‘Austin Powers’ movies and would be winning a VMA with Ludacris,” he said. The song was featured in The Judy Garland Show, The Pawnbroker, Take the Money and Run, and even served as the theme for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
4. Lesley Gore – “It’s My Party” (1963)
Genre: Pop
Jones produced this pop classic for a young Lesley Gore, adding Latin-style percussion and horn hits that brought the song to life. The hit reached No. 1 and popularized the iconic line, “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.”
5. “The Pawnbroker: Main Title” (1964)
Genre: Film Score
Jones ventured into film scoring with ‘The Pawnbroker’, a movie with Rod Steiger. The theme combines jazz and Latin elements with dark, moody undertones, reflecting the film’s somber story about a Holocaust survivor.
6. Frank Sinatra – “Fly Me to the Moon” (1964)
Genre: Jazz/Pop
In his first collaboration with Sinatra, Jones arranged this enduring classic on ‘It Might as Well Be Swing’, cementing a close, lifelong partnership with Sinatra. The upbeat arrangement sent this track to new heights, becoming a fan favorite.
7. “Boobie Baby” (1965)
Genre: Rock
This track, a hidden gem from the ‘Mirage’ film score, features Jones’s skillful use of jazz in a haunting arrangement. A soft flute theme overlays a mellow jazz combo, adding to the thriller’s suspenseful mood.
8. “The Streetbeater” (1972)
Genre: Funk
Known as the theme for ‘Sanford and Son’, this funky track is powered by Jones’s distinctive arrangements, which include harmonica, saxophone, and electric keyboard. The gritty tune became instantly recognizable to TV audiences.
9. “Body Heat” (1974)
Genre: Funk
Co-produced with jazz bassist Ray Brown, “Body Heat” is a smooth and seductive track that later found new life when Tupac Shakur sampled it for his hit “How Do U Want It.”
10. Michael Jackson – “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” (1979)
Genre: Disco/Funk
Jones and Jackson first collaborated on ‘The Wiz’ before creating this standout track on ‘Off the Wall’. Jackson’s single was an eclectic mix of disco rhythms and percussion by Sheila E., marking his arrival as a solo star.
11. “Just Once” (1981)
Genre: Rock and Soul ballad
Jones discovered James Ingram’s talent when he recorded a demo for “Just Once.” This soulful ballad became a defining R&B hit of the ’80s and helped launch Ingram’s career as a premier voice in pop and R&B.
12. Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean” (1982)
Genre: pop and funk
Although Jones initially questioned the extended drum and bass intro, Jackson’s vision prevailed. The song, released on ‘Thriller’, became an iconic track and one of Jackson’s biggest hits, as well as one of the most iconic tracks in pop music history.
13. USA for Africa – “We Are the World” (1985)
Genre: Pop
“We Are the World” is a charity single in the genres of pop and gospel. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones, the song was created as a response to the severe famine crisis in Ethiopia. Performed by an unprecedented ensemble of music superstars, including Jackson, Richie, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, and many others, the track emphasized a collective humanitarian message and inspired global awareness and aid.
14. “I’ll Be Good to You” (1989)
Genre: Funk/R&B
Reinventing himself in the New Jack Swing era, Jones collaborated with Ray Charles and Chaka Khan on this R&B-pop hit from ‘Back on the Block’. The album, featuring a variety of guests, earned him six Grammys, including Album of the Year.
Throughout his career, Quincy Jones brought a sense of grandeur and complexity to American music. His incredible ability to adapt and innovate across genres has left an enduring mark on the industry. Each of these songs reflects a different facet of his artistry, from jazz beginnings to monumental pop hits, solidifying his status as one of the most influential figures in music history. As Kendrick Lamar noted, Jones’ approach to “combining hip-hop and jazz” has helped shape modern music.
