Oprah Winfrey pays tribute to late music icon Quincy Jones: 'Heart was so filled with love'

Hollywood is mourning a musical icon.

Quincy Jones, the legendary producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and more artists, died on Sunday, his publicist confirmed. He was 91.

Jones, who produced Jackson's iconic album "Thriller" and the charity song "We Are the World," took home nearly 30 Grammys during his career, received multiple Oscar nominations for his film music, and was awarded a National Medal of Arts. He is survived by seven children, including actress Rashida Jones.

Tributes quickly began pouring in from those who worked with Jones or were simply inspired by his music. Oprah Winfrey reflected that her "life changed forever for the better after meeting" Jones, who "discovered" her for the role of Sofia in 1985's "The Color Purple." Jones produced and scored the Steven Spielberg-directed film, which earned Winfrey a best supporting actress Oscar nomination.

"I had never experienced, nor have since, anyone who's heart was so filled with love," she wrote on Instagram. "He walked around with his heart wide open, and he treated everybody as if they were the most important person he'd ever met. He was the Light. No shadows."

Winfrey added that Jones was the "first person I ever loved unconditionally," and his "life enhanced mine and every life he touched."

Whoopi Goldberg, who also starred in "The Color Purple" in the lead role, wrote in an Instagram story that Jones "was my friend," and she "was lucky enough to have him in my life all these years." She also honored him on Monday's episode of "The View."

"I had no better friend," she said. "He never left. When other people were flocking away, Q stayed, and he always told me to stand my ground."

Jennifer Hudson said that Jones' "genius was unmatched," and the "world won't be the same without" him.

LL Cool J remembered the producer as a "father and example at a time when I truly needed a father and example," as well as a "mentor," "role model" and "king." The rapper previously said that Jones gave him "a lot of game and insight early in my career."

"Music would not be music without you," he wrote on Instagram. "My condolences to the entire family. I love you. Rest in the sweetest music eternally."

Dr. Dre credited Jones with being the "reason why I decided to become a record producer" and said the "advice he gave me, the conversations we had have helped me in my life and career."

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Will Smith shared a touching tribute to Jones on Instagram, who he said represented "the true definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend."

Jones formed the production company responsible for "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," and served as executive producer and composer for the 1990s sitcom that made Smith a star.

"He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to," Smith continued. "He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly."

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In a statement, fellow legendary music producer Clive Davis remembered Jones as "a true giant of music."

"Whether it was jazz, pop, r&b or rock, no genre of music escaped his genius. Say 'We Are The World' and say 'The Color Purple' and you'll understand the range of his music," he said. "He was the ultimate music renaissance man and a true inspiration to all of us in music."

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Another producer great, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, said of Jones: "One of the greatest honors of my life was to be his friend."

He captioned photos of himself and Jones, including a 1995 Vibe Magazine cover with Stevie Wonder, Coolio and the pair: "An icon, a legend, but most of all a beautiful spirit. It’s too many stories to share but I will cherish them forever ♥️ Rest easy my friend."

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Gloria Estefan said on Instagram that the "world is different today" because Jones, her daughter Emily's godfather, "is no longer in it."

Estefan also worked with Jones on his 1995 album, "Q's Jook Joint."

"Throughout his life, at every stage, and on every stage he changed our existence for the better with every note of music he created and everyone he touched with his love," Estefan wrote. "I feel privileged to have been in his sphere and be able to experience first-hand the wonder that was and will always be 'Q', Mr. Quincy Jones."

"We Are the World" collaborator Lionel Richie simply captioned a photo of himself and his friend, "Q": "what a great ride!! ❤️🙏🏽 - with love always."

John Legend recalled an embarrassing story with Jones in his tribute.

"The first time I ever spoke to Q, he was gently reprimanding me because one of my team members wasn't representing me well during my first year in the public eye. What a way to meet one of your heroes," he started his post on Instagram.

He said after, he and Jones "became good friends" and that the producer called Legend "his little brother because I look like his younger brother Richard."

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Legend worked with Jones on the latter's 2010 album, "Q: Soul Bossa Nostra."

"He gave me great advice and always had the best stories. He was behind some of the most important music and culture we will ever know," he added. "He was the life of the party, so charming and full of light. ... We're all so fortunate to live in a world made more beautiful by the music he created."

Rapper-actor Ice-T recalled winning his first Grammy because of Jones. The producer's 1989 album "Back on the Block" — featuring a wide mix of musicians including Ice-T, Miles Davis and Chaka Khan — won the Grammy for album of the year in 1991.

"I live with his Wisdom daily," the rapper wrote on Instagram. "This one Hit me. God bless you KING."

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Michael Caine, whose 1969 film "The Italian Job" was scored by Jones, remembered his "Celestial twin" as "a titan in the musical world." Caine and Jones both share the same birthday, March 14, and Jones previously noted on Facebook that they were born "on the same day, month, year and even HOUR!"

"He was a wonderful and unique human being, lucky to have known him," Caine said on X.

Colman Domingo revealed he was "so thrilled" when he met Jones that he "literally kneeled because he was a King." He also thanked Jones, who served as a producer on Domingo's 2023 version of "The Color Purple," for "giving us all the sound."

Mary J. Blige, who appeared on Jones' 2010 album "Q: Soul Bossa Nostra," eulogized him as a "true musical genius whose impact on the world will resonate for generations."

Shania Twain shared that she was lucky to call Jones a friend. "We have truly lost one of the greats and my heart is broken for the loss of talent in our craft and also the loss of his warmth and wisdom in my life," she said.

Kelly Rowland praised Jones as "such a wonderful teacher" and thanked him for creating the "soundtrack for some of the most extraordinary moments in my life."

Darius Rucker described "my friend" Jones as "one of the all time greats" and wrote on X that the "world will miss" him, while Snoop Dogg thanked Jones "for the brotherhood and love u gave me."

Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis noted she has a personal connection to Jones, who bought the house that she grew up in and raised his family there. "The idea that his children ran and played in the same beautiful, rustic, eucalyptus tree environment makes me so happy," she said on Instagram.

Katie Couric shared a photo on Instagram of herself with the music producer, memorializing him as "one of the greats." Tyler Perry also posted a photo with Jones and said his heart was "broken" by the loss.

"I was so honored to have known you, Q, and to dedicate a soundstage to you," Perry shared. "You not only brought music and light, but you also shared so much of your wisdom with me. I'm going to miss you, my friend. Sending prayers to all your family."

Justin Timberlake, too, shared a photo with Jones, saying it was an honor "getting to be in his presence and spend time talking about music and life," and "there were so many bits of guidance he gave me along the way that I will take with me forever."

Barbra Streisand said she "adored" Jones, who was a producer on her 1988 album "Till I Loved You," ever since they first met in 1963. "He gave so much to the world," she wrote. "I will miss you so much my dear friend."

Lin-Manuel Miranda said "a genius has left us" and noted he is "grateful for all he gave us," while Josh Gad thanked Jones for "taking us on thriller rides, flying us to the moon, and reminding us that indeed, we are the world."

Paul McCartney "felt privileged to have known him for many years," he wrote in his tribute.

"He was friends with George Martin, the Beatles' producer and, between the two of them, produced some very fine music. ... It is as a friend I would like to remember him. We always had fun in his presence and his legend will continue through the years, but it is those private moments we were lucky enough to have with the great man that I will always remember fondly."

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Isaac Hayes III, son of Isaac Hayes, also reflected on the fact that Jones didn't produce Michael Jackson's "Thriller" until he was in his late 40s. "Arguably one of the greatest accomplishments of his life and of all time was done at a middle point in his life," Hayes wrote.

"So much emphasis is put on accomplishing things at such a young age now a lot of times it leaves many people feeling like it's too late to be great or find yourself. It's not. Quincy Jones should always serve as an inspiration to keep pushing to be your best and keep living life through the process."

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Quincy Jones tributes: Oprah Winfrey, more stars honor music producer