Quincy Jones

pop-soul composer
Born: 3/14/1933
Birthplace: Chicago

GrammyAward-winning pop-soul composer, arranger, instrumentalist and producer known for his behind-the-scenes influence in the music industry. He started his music career as a trumpeter with Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie and briefly formed his own band, Free and Easy Musicians. He abandoned performing for the boardroom when he joined Mercury Records. He has scored more than 50 films, includingThe Wiz(1978) andThe Color Purple(1985). He also producedMichael Jackson'sOff the Wall(1978) and co-produced Jackson'sThriller(1982). He leads his own recording label, Quest, and is involved in movie, television, and multimedia production. Jones was the coproducer of the 1995Academy Awardsbroadcast.