This 2001 Fresh Air interview reflects on Quincy Jones's remarkable life and career following his passing. It explores his early days with Lionel Hampton's big band, his friendships and collaborations with legends like Ray Charles and Dizzy Gillespie, and his evolution into a producer and arranger for major artists such as Michael Jackson and Leslie Gore. The conversation also touches on the challenges he faced growing up with a mother who had schizophrenia. Overall, the interview showcases Jones's diverse career, his groundbreaking contributions to music across various genres, and the personal struggles he overcame.
