A Few of My Favorite Things: Qunicy Jones

Quincy Jones was born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Ilinois. He most often associated with New York or Los Angeles, but Chicago is where he got his start. His mother was Sarah Frances, who was a schizophrenic, and Qunicy “Delight” Jones, Sr.—a semi-professional baseball player. A bit of trivia: Q. Jones’, Jr.’s mother is a descendant of Mary Belle Lanier, who is the daughter of James Balance Lanier, who is second cousin four times removed from George Washington. Whew! But wait—it gets getter. James Balance Lanier is the first cousin of John McCain’s maternal grandfather, making him ALSO related to G. Washington.

Jones attended many schools, including the Schillinger House in Boston. He toured with Lional Hampton; a reason to abandon his studies. He also freelanced with the likes of Count Basie, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughn, and Duke Ellington. Not to bad, eh?

Jones toured with Dizzy Gillespie around the mid-fifties and got a contract with Paramount records—this really started things off. Then Jones moved to Paris and studied music there for a time.

Some notable things about Mr. Jones:
He discovered Lesley Gore
Wrote the musical score to “In Cold Blood”
Worked as an arranger for Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, and Dinah Washington.
Scored the movie “The Color Purple” as well as produced it.
Has published an autobiography
Worked with Michael Jackson, most notably producing “Thriller.”
Has never learned to drive.
Suffered a cerebral aneurysm that almost killed him in 1974.
One of the founders of the “Black Arts Festival” in Chicago.
Was married to Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Anderson, and Peggy Lipton.
Attended Berklee College of Music.
Received the Legion d/Honneur.
Had a cameo in “Austin Powers in Goldmember.”
Played the trumpet.
Was partners with Bob Russell.
Was the first Afro-American to be nominated for an Academy Award in Best Original Song.
First Afro-American to win the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

A Few of My Favorite Things