Qunicy Jones the legendary record producer and music executive died peacefully surrounded by members of his family at his California home on November 3, aged 91.
It has now been revealed that he died from pancreatic cancer according to his death certificate seen by TMZ. It was not known for how long he battled with the illness. However, no other contributory factors have been cited on his death certificate.
Jones was laid to rest in a private ceremony in Los Angeles one week after his death. The “intimate ceremony included Mr. Jones’ seven children, his brother, two sisters, and immediate family members,”
Jones, who was the first popular conductor-arranger to record with a Fender bass in the mid 1950s, worked with many iconic artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles to Michael Jackson.
He produced and conducted the best-selling single of all time in “We Are The World,” and three of Jackson’s albums, including the all-time best-selling album, Thriller. He also worked with Sinatra for three years as a conductor and arranger, and created the famous arrangement of “Fly Me To The Moon.”
Rashida Jones, his daughter, subsequently paid a heartfelt tribute to her dad, hailing him “an icon”.
The 48-year-old actress wrote on Instagram: “My dad was nocturnal his whole adult life.
“He kept ‘jazz hours’ starting in high school and never looked back. When I was little, I would wake up in the middle of the night to search for him. Undoubtedly, he would be somewhere in the house, composing (old school, with a pen and sheet music.)
“He would never send me back to bed. He would smile and bring me into his arms while he continued to work…there was no safer place in the world for me.
“He was a giant. An icon. A culture shifter. A genius. All accurate descriptions of my father but his music (and ALL of his work) was a channel for his love. He WAS love. He made everyone he ever met feel loved and seen. That’s his legacy.
“I was fortunate enough to experience this love in close proximity. I’ll miss his hugs and kisses and unconditional devotion and advice. (sic)”
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