LOS ANGELES – Mayor Bass issued the following statement following the passing of Quincy Jones:
"Quincy Jones brought laughter, celebration, happiness and joy into the homes of millions. As a musician, composer, producer, and arranger, he changed our culture and he changed our world.
Mr. Jones broke barriers in an industry that had long worked to exclude artists that looked like him.
His greatness was undeniable – he won nearly 30 Grammy Awards and he received the Grammy Legend Award in 1992. His iconic style inspired generations of musicians to push the envelope. He produced "Off the Wall", "Thriller", and "Bad" by Michael Jackson – three of the most successful albums of all time. He was the first African American composer for a major motion picture and went on to compose scores for nearly 40 major films. Later in his career, Mr. Jones produced historic and impactful films including The Color Purple, which received 11 Oscar nominations. Mr. Jones also wrote and produced “We Are the World” to raise money for those impacted by famine in Ethiopia, bringing together some of the most famous voices of the time to collaborate on the piece.
Quincy Jones has provided a soundtrack to the best moments of so many lives – and to the deepest movements of change in this country. Our city is forever bettered by his gifts. We celebrate his life, and we mourn this loss. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."