So remember in my last post I talked about studying the greats? Well I just finished reading “The Autobiography of Quincy Jones.” This book is 16 years old and so much has happened since then that makes this book seem even more dated than it is, however there is much ground covered here.  People my age and younger probably know him best for his work with Michael Jackson, but what I was interested in learning about was his work in the world of jazz.  To me, jazz is one of the most complex musical art forms and I believe that if you can play it, write it, or sing it, then you can do anything.  Throughout his life, Mr. Jones worked with some of the best that ever did it and a lot of his jazz collaborations happened as a result of being in the right place at the right time.  He begins by talking about his less than humble beginnings in Chicago with his hard working dad, his mentally disabled mother and his brother, Lloyd.  At the age of 12 he discovered music and it changed his life.  Throughout his career he has played with the greats such as: Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. His life story is told through firsthand accounts mostly, with certain chapters written by other people such as bandmates, his children, and ex-wives. I’ve always enjoyed learning about the madness behind the mad scientist because I think all artists have that in common.  EVERYONE said he was a workaholic which is a grand understatement. It is important to note that his work ethic was never fueled by the desire to be rich or famous but because 1) he truly loved the music and 2) it was a coping mechanism. Mr. Jones suffered loss, abandonment, and abuse and work was ALWAYS his way of dealing  with it and it nearly cost him his life on more than one occasion.  One of the most important lessons he learned was being able to tell the difference between music and the music business. Another lesson which I have heard from many musicians is always OWN YOUR MASTERS and PUBLISHING.  A lot of artists back then had to learn these lessons the hard way and Mr. Jones was no exception.  From jazz, he went on to TV and film scoring and from there went to producing and magazine publishing.  I can’t even begin to really delve into all that he has done because between his discography and filmography the list is just too long.  It saddened me when he spoke of all the people that he worked with who are no longer here and even more sad to think of how many more people have departed since 2001 when the book was published.  It’s been a hell of a ride and this book was an opportunity to tell his story and thank the many artists who helped and believed him along the way.  His contribution to the world of music is unparalleled and continues to inspire.