Remembering Quincy Jones

November 4, 2024

Quincy Jones, a true legend and giant in the music industry, has died at 91. His career, spanning over seven decades, redefined popular music. He produced landmark albums and worked with legends including Michael Jackson, Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra.

In 2005, Jones brought his legendary touch to the soundtrack of Get Rich or Die Tryin’, the biopic of rapper 50 Cent, directed by the Irish director Jim Sheridan. This project marked an exceptional collaboration with Gavin Friday and his musical partner at the time, Maurice Seezer. The partnership was sparked by Friday meeting Jones in New York after first connecting with 50 Cent in Toronto.

The film mirrored the success of 50 Cent’s album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and highlighted Quincy Jones’ ability to collaborate with diverse and global talent.

Gavin: “Quincy Jones was born the same year as my father (1933 ) and the same day as my mother, 14th March. In the summer of 2005, just a week or so after my Father’s passing, Quincy Jones more or less became my spiritual surrogate father. Working with Quincy Jones on the score for Jim Sheridan’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ was in many ways life changing. To be embraced by the man’s magic and myth is one thing, but at the heart of this musical genius was a kindness and charm that was beautiful, bewildering and off the Richter scale cool! What a lucky man was I to have worked and know such a Legend. Rest in Peace Q.”

In 2014, Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer were presented with an award from IMRO (the Irish Music Rights Organisation) in recognition of the ongoing success of their film compositions in the US, including the Get Rich or Die Tryin’ soundtrack.

Photo: Canadian Film Centre from Toronto, Canada, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons