Actor Rashida Jones fought back tears as she accepted an Academy Honorary Award on behalf of her late father, Quincy Jones, at the 15th annual Governors Awards on Sunday.
Legendary musician and producer Jones—who worked with some of the music industry’s biggest names, including Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles—died aged 91 at his home in Bel Air, California, on November 3.
Weeks after his passing, Rashida Jones was joined by some of her six siblings onstage at Hollywood’s Ray Dolby Ballroom, where she shared the speech that her father had planned to make on acceptance of his award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
“Today, I am beyond thankful to have composed more than 35 film scores, and that this journey allowed me to collaborate with some of the most acclaimed filmmakers on the planet,” read part of the speech.
“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 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 Jones then shared a tribute of her own to her father as she told the star-studded audience: “His music has literally defined an entire century of culture spanning genres—jazz, disco, film, pop, R&B, hip hop.
She added: “But the real thread in his music is that his music is all infused with his love—that was his gift to us. So tonight, on your way home, I invite you to listen, because there’s so much to listen to.”
“There’s an entire universe waiting in his seven decades of music,” the Parks and Recreation star continued. “And while you listen, hear him, hear how he imbued love into every single second of music he did. That was his real legacy—love.
“He loved life, and he often said, ‘live every day like it’s your last, and one day you will be right.’ And you did, Dad.”
Becoming emotional, she added that her father lived “the biggest, best, most beautiful life of love every single day… So, in honor of our dad, we hope you will do the same. Live with love. Lead with love. Bring love to everything that you do.”
With a career spanning more than 70 years, Quincy Jones revolutionized music by crossing genres, breaking boundaries, and promoting collaboration, leaving a lasting impact on jazz, pop, soul, film scores and hip-hop. His ability to curate and direct entire projects paved the way for future super-producers.
Among his other honors are 28 Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, and an Emmy. He was also the recipient of a Kennedy Center tribute for his contributions to American culture, the Legion d’Honneur from France, and Italy’s Rudolph Valentino Award. Time named Jones as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.
Quincy Jones’ decades-long working partnership with Michael Jackson saw him produce the pop star’s seminal albums Off the Wall, Bad and Thriller—with Thriller continuing to hold the distinction of being the bestselling album of all time.
As well as composing the soundtrack to dozens of movies and TV shows, Quincy Jones obtained the rights to the novel The Color Purple and approached Steven Spielberg to direct a screen adaptation. The resulting 1985 film—starring Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover—received widespread acclaim and 11 Academy Award nominations. Quincy Jones scored the film.
The legendary musician Jones also produced and conducted “We Are the World,” a 1985 charity track featuring a host of music stars that went on to become one of the bestselling singles of all time.
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