Quincy Jones was working on his acceptance speech for his honorary Oscar before he passed away. The music industry pioneer had been crafting his words carefully, reflecting on his extraordinary seven-decade career in entertainment.
The legendary music producer died on Nov. 3 at 91, after a battle with pancreatic cancer, His daughter Rashida Jones actually read out a few words from the acceptance speech he was writing for the Governors Awards. Quincy’s contributions to film music include over 40 major motion picture scores, earning him seven Oscar nominations throughout his career.
“When I was a young film composer, you didn’t even see faces of color working in the studio commissaries,” Rashida — who attended the awards show in Los Angeles on Nov. 17, alongside his daughters Martina and Kenya as well as his son Quincy III — said. This powerful statement reflected Quincy‘s role as a trailblazer in Hollywood, where he became one of the first African American composers to achieve mainstream success.
“I’m so, so proud of the fact that my name and contributions can be included in that evolution. I share this award and tonight’s honor with all the amazing directors, legendary actors — and, of course, exceptional songwriters, composers and musicians who I’ve formed dear friendships with over my seven decades in this business — and know that I wouldn’t trade this night or those experiences for anything in the world,” Rashida continued to read. His words captured the essence of his collaborative spirit, having worked with countless legendary artists throughout his career.
Rashida felt proud to collect the Lifetime Achievement Oscar on behalf of her father, but she also acknowledged that “it was a difficult decision” to attend the event. The timing of the ceremony — just two weeks after his passing — made it an emotionally challenging moment for the family.
“In some ways, it was a difficult decision for our family to be here tonight but we felt like we wanted to celebrate his beautiful life and career,” the actor — who has starred in comedy shows such as “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” — said. The family’s presence at the ceremony demonstrated their commitment to honoring Quincy’s legacy and celebrating his unprecedented impact on the entertainment industry.
“His music has literally defined an entire century of culture — jazz, disco, film, pop, hip-hop — but the real thread in his music is that his music is all infused with his love,” Rashida stated. This sentiment echoes throughout Quincy’s vast catalog, which includes producing Michael Jackson’s bestselling album Thriller and the charity single “We Are the World.”
The Governors Awards ceremony marked a poignant moment in Hollywood history, celebrating a man who had broken numerous barriers in the entertainment industry. Jones’s career included 80 Grammy Award nominations and 28 wins, making him one of the most decorated musicians in Grammy history.
His influence extended far beyond music, as he became the first African American to be named vice president of a major record label in 1961, and later co-produced Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple in 1985, which earned 11 Oscar nominations.
The honorary Oscar represents the culmination of Jones’s remarkable journey from Chicago’s South Side to the heights of Hollywood. Throughout his career, he worked with legendary artists including Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and Jackson, while also scoring countless memorable films.
His last project before his passing was overseeing the completion of a documentary about his life, featuring interviews with many of the artists he had influenced and mentored over the years. The film is scheduled for release in 2025.
The acceptance speech he prepared serves as a fitting final testament to his legacy, emphasizing the importance of diversity, collaboration and the transformative power of music in bringing people together. His words continue to inspire future generations of artists and creators.
