The Musical Master Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones is one of the most respected and recognizable music icons in the world. However, his beginnings were extremely humble, but with perseverance, raw talent and his ability to make the right connections, he grew to one of the best composers producers and arrangers in the music industry.

Life didn’t start out easy for Quincy Jones he thankfully had music as a tool to fall back on and to help him through the tough times. His mother was mentally ill and spent time in and out of many mental institutions. This has a huge affect on Quincy Jones, however he leaned on music and this resource ultimately made him a legend.

Quincy JonesQuincy Jones truly had lots of talent. He originally started playing the piano, however after hearing a barber playing the trumpet he immediately became obsessed with it and rose to be one of the best trumpet musicians in Chicago during the 50’s. With lots of talent and connections such as Cab Calloway, Count Basie and others, he rose to the pinnacle of the music industry and started to arrange.

The Smithsonian Magazine has an extremely interesting article regarding Quincy Jones, for those interested in this musical genius, please visit us at our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Quincy Jones: A Musical Master

Quincy Jones is a name that is renown in the music industry. Throughout the decades, the accomplishments and contributions that Quincy Jones has made to jazz, pop, R&B and other genres are awe-inspiring. He is a man that is known in all music circles and beloved by the public. While his music is extremely interesting and enjoyable, his life is also fascinating- from his humble beginnings, to stardom, to literally a pop culture icon. There are few individuals in music that have excelled so far and Quincy Jones is definitely one of them- a true musical master.

Quincy Jones Started from Humble Beginnings
The life of Quincy Jones started from humble beginnings. While he always loved music, it became a necessity and a place where he could find solace early on. His mother- mentally ill spent her life in and out of mental hospitals and music for Quincy Jones was more than just a hobby, but a way to get him through the tough times. His first experience with a musical instrument came at the age of 11, when he and his friends broke into a recreation room on the Army base where they were working. Quincy Jones approached the rec room piano and tried to play a few notes. At that moment he states “every cell in my body said this is what you will do for the rest of your life.”

Quincy Jones taught himself popular songs on the piano and enjoyed composing new ones- even before he learned the technical aspects of playing the piano effectively. And it wasn’t just the piano he was enamored with, when he heard a barber in town playing the trumpet, he again was enamored and resolute on learning to play this musical instrument as well.

Playing with the Greats
Quincy Jones was not only talented enough to learn and play musical instruments such as the piano and trumpet extremely well, but was lucky enough to meet and play with the right people. After the war, Quincy Jones, would sneak into nightclubs and watch jazz greats Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway, Count Basie and more (most of whom he would develop personal relationships and play with in the years to come.

For those that enjoy music and are interested in this musical legend, Smithsonian Magazine has a fascinating article available on the life and work of Quincy Jones. You can read it at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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