Quincy Jones is known as one of the biggest musical talents this country has ever seen. Starting out his career as a teenaged trumpet player, Quincy Jones made the right connections and had the drive and desire to compose, produce and arrange.
Quincy Jones used music as a tool to get him through the tough times. His mother, mentally ill spent time in and out of mental institutions which had a huge affect on Quincy Jones. He used the power of music to get him through these dark periods.
Quincy Jones not only had drive, but inherent talent that made him a quick learner. Originally playing the piano, after hearing a barber in town playing the trumpet, Quincy Jones immediately became enamored with its sweet sound and learned to play it on his own. From this point on, fate took him to the biggest clubs in Chicago meeting some of the best jazz musicians and innovators of the day. During the 1950’s Quincy Jones played with greats such as Cab Calloway, Count Basie and others.
To learn more about this American musical icon, Smithsonian has put together an insightful article regarding Quincy Jones. Please visit our main magazine website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/
