THE LIFE LESSON THAT MADE QUINCY JONES A MUSIC LEGEND

I came across this story about Quincy Jones a few times. It was how he lived his life by an old adage that he learned from his father, Quincy Delight Jones Sr., a grandson of slaves. He told the young Q this: "Once a task is just begun, never leave until it's done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all."

- BABY A. GIL

It is no wonder then that Quincy Delight Jones Jr., who was born in Chicago on March 14, 1933, grew up to accomplish so much during the 70 years or more that he spent in the entertainment industry.

Quincy learned how to play the piano as a seven-year-old by listening through the thin walls of their apartment to a neighbor pounding the keys next door.

Quincy learned well and by the age of 14 was already touring with a jazz orchestra where he met Ray Charles who was 15 years old. He also played the trumpet.

Quincy's first music was jazz and his early experience included gigs with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie and Harold Arlen. His first hit album was It Might As Well Be Spring, featuring Count Basie and Frank Sinatra.

Quincy though easily learned how to adapt to the demands of the music business. So, he learned how to do pop and he produced million sellers for the teen-aged Lesley Gore with songs like It's My Party, You Don't Own Me and others.