Quincy Jones cause of death revealed: music legend was 91

The music industry lost a giant earlier this month after Quincy Jones passed away on November 3. The 28-time Grammy-winning producer and composer, who worked with major stars like Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, was 91.

At the time, no details on his death were provided — but now his death certificate has revealed the music legend’s cause of death.

On November 3, Jones’ family announced that he had died at the age of 91, at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles surrounded by family.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

“He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”

Quincy Jones: Cause of Death

No further details of his death were provided by the family, but Jones’ death certificate, released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and obtained by TMZ, reveals that he died from pancreatic cancer. The news was confirmed by his publicist Arnold Robinson.

Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers, and is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States among both men and women. According to the report, there were no other contributing factors in his death.

Jones was laid to rest this week in a private, intimate ceremony that included his 7 children, brother, 2 sisters and other immediate family members, according to AP. A larger public memorial celebration is being planned for a later date. The family said that they were “enormously grateful for the outpouring of condolences and tributes from his friends and fans from around the world.”

Throughout his decades-long career, Quincy Jones was one of the most acclaimed and respected music producers, arrangers and composers in the industry. His work includes the iconic Michael Jackson albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad, the chart-topping all-star charity single “We Are the World,” and the Oscar-nominated scores to In Cold Blood, The Wiz and The Color Purple. He received 28 Grammy Awards throughout his career.

Remembering Quincy Jones

After his death, tributes came pouring in, from music industry collaborators like Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, to other major figures like Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama. Perhaps the most heartwarming tribute came from Quincy’s daughter Rashida Jones, the actress known for her roles in The Office and Parks and Recreation.

“My dad was nocturnal his whole adult life,” Rashida recalled. “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,” she continued. “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.”

Rest in peace to the legendary Quincy Jones — please share this story in his memory.