大象传媒

In tribute to the master musician, composer, arranger, film and music producer, we hear 大象传媒 interviews covering his life and career with Jamie Cullum, Steve Wright, Matt Everitt, John Wilson, Nicky Campbell, Alan Yentob, Robert Cushman, Simon Bates and Stuart Grundy (when Quincy when he was in his 50s). The list of his collaborations is extraordinary and unparalleled from his teenage years onwards - Count Basie, his childhood friend Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Chaka Khan and right up to date with his recent protege Jacob Collier.

It could be said he completely changed the game for established artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Donna Summer, Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra with his groundbreaking arrangements and production. Interestingly, he says, with true modesty, of the biggest selling album in history, Thriller, that nobody sets out to sell 50 million records: you just do your best. It was recorded in eight weeks in five studios running simultaneously. Vincent Price recorded his part in two takes.

Quincy also pioneered the use of electric bass and synthesisers and became a great friend of his celestial twin Michael Caine while scoring The Italian Job in London and loved hearing his song The South Preservation Society sung at World Cup football matches. We also hear how Sidney Lumet and Steven Spielberg helped him with his film career.

Produced for 大象传媒 Audio by Mark Simpson, with David Hyde from the 大象传媒 Archive Curation team