Mark Ronson Remembers Quincy Jones, Says His Death Is “Like a Black Hole Swallowing Part of the Musical Universe”

With a career spanning music, television, and Hollywood, Quincy Jones watched his stardom hit new heights as he won 28 Grammy Awards, a Tony Award, and was even nominated for several Academy Awards. While in the studio, the record producer helped stars like Michael Jackson. Together, they produced albums like Thriller, Bad, and Off The Wall. Time even listed Jones as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. Sadly, on November 3rd, the icon passed away at 91. And with the musician helping shape so many careers, Mark Ronson took a moment to remember the impact Jones had on him. 

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Although countless musicians, singers, and celebrities honored Jones with heartfelt posts on social media, Ronson decided to write a beautiful piece for The Guardian. Discussing his time with Jones, the record producer and DJ wrote about how the jazz icon simply packed up his bags and moved to Paris to learn more about music. Ronson insisted, “I fantasize about having that kind of courage.” 

Praising Jones for having the courage to step out of his comfort zone to explore the deeper meaning of music, Ronson continued, “The guts to drop everything, leave the rat race and bury myself in theory and orchestration, and return a musical Jedi master, instead of freezing like a deer in headlights at Abbey Road while conductors toss around terms that may as well be in Klingon.”

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Mark Ronson Considers Quincy Jones Passing A “Black Hole” In Music

While Ronson praised Jones, he admitted that the record producer set a standard no one can hit. “For producers and arrangers like me, he didn’t just raise the bar; he hid it where no one could reach.”

Honoring the legacy of Jones, Ronson had a deeper connection with him as he was once engaged to his daughter, Rashida Jones. Although it didn’t work out, Ronson wrote, “Over the years, he would send me kind notes – he had a particular fondness for Amy [Winehouse] – and we’d often hang out whenever I played the Montreux jazz festival, his beloved stomping ground.”

With the loss of Jones still fresh on his mind, Ronson ended his tribute with, “Losing Quincy is like a black hole swallowing part of the musical universe. But his work will live forever, as will his lessons. Keep striving for that deeper knowledge. Always leave space for something bigger than yourself. Because sometimes, magic happens when we get out of the way.” 

(Photo by Michael Bezjian/Getty Images for The Forge)