The Jazz Facet of Quincy Jones : NPR

Quincy Jones, a towering inventive determine who could not be contained to anybody “factor,” whether or not it’s a style of music or job description, died on Nov. 3, 2024, on the age of 91.

Affectionately often known as “Q,” Quincy was a luminary in each sense — a masterful arranger, producer, composer and visionary entrepreneur, in addition to a media mogul and cultural icon. Whereas he wore many hats, jazz was all the time at his core.

On this particular episode of Jazz Evening in America, we honor Quincy’s extraordinary jazz legacy with our host Christian McBride, who bonded with him through the years.

McBride offers us a uncommon inside look of a few of their hilarious exchanges along with some resonant recommendation he acquired throughout his go to to Quincy’s Bel-Air mansion. We additionally hear his favourite Quincy Jones preparations and collaborations, from Dizzy Gillespie and Artwork Framer to Rely Basie and Frank Sinatra.

“Quincy cherished his jazz life and the folks in it — even when he was making large pop hits,” McBride shares. “Solely Q may’ve put organist Jimmy Smith on Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous!”

Set Record:

All songs organized by Quincy Jones

• “The Start of a Band” (Quincy Jones)
  From the album The Start of a Band! by Quincy Jones (Mercury, 1959)
• “Jessica’s Day” (Quincy Jones)
  From the album World Statesman by Dizzy Gillespie (Norgran, 1956)
• “Mau Mau” (Artwork Farmer, Quincy Jones)
  From the album The Artwork Farmer Septet by Artwork Farmer (Status, 1956)
• “Quince” (Quincy Jones)
  From the album Basie One Extra Time: Music from the Pen of Quincy Jones by Rely Basie (Roulette, 1959)
• “Straightforward Dwelling” (Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin)
  From the album For These in Love by Dinah Washington (EmArcy, 1955)
• “Fly Me to the Moon” (Bart Howard)
  From the album It May As Properly Be Swing by Frank Sinatra with Rely Basie and His Orchestra (Reprise, 1964)
• “The place or When” (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart)
  From the album Sinatra on the Sands by Frank Sinatra (Reprise, 1966)
• “Killer Joe” (Benny Golson)
  From the album Strolling in Area by Quincy Jones (A&M, 1969)
• “Jazz Nook of the World (Introduction to ‘Birdland’)” (Large Daddy Kane, Kool Moe Dee)
  From the album Again on the Block by Quincy Jones (Qwest, 1989)
• “Birdland” (Joe Zawinul)
  From the album Again on the Block by Quincy Jones (Qwest, 1989)

Credit:

Christian McBride, host; Sarah Geledi, author and producer; Simon Rentner, consulting editor; Trevor Smith, consulting producer; Ron Scalzo, mastering; Nikki Birch, Mitra Arthur, video producers; Steven A. Williams, government producer; Suraya Mohamed, government producer at NPR Music; Keith Jenkins, vp of visuals and music technique at NPR.