Kamala Harris has paid tribute to her friend Quincy Jones, calling the late producer, songwriter and composer a “trailblazer”.
The Vice President and Democratic nominee in today’s US presidential election (November 5) shared a photograph of herself and Jones on social media following his death on Sunday (3) aged 91.
“Quincy Jones was a trailblazer,” Harris began her message. “As a composer, arranger, record and movie producer, he created art that brought joy to millions of people.
“As an activist, Quincy championed civil and human rights. As a role model, he offered inspiration and mentorship, in particular for young people of colour in the music industry.”
She continued: “I was honoured to call Quincy a friend, and I will always remember his generosity of spirit, his selfless support, and his deep kindness.
“Doug [Emhoff, Harris’ husband] and I are praying for the Jones family and all those who loved him.” You can see the post below.
Harris’ tribute arrived after Vulture reposted a 2018 interview with Jones, where he described former POTUS and current Republican candidate Donald Trump as a “crazy motherfucker”.
He also called Trump “limited mentally” and a “megalomaniac”, adding: “I can’t stand him.” Jones’ resurfaced remarks have since gone viral on social media.
In a statement confirming Jones’ passing, his family said he was “truly one of a kind” who they would “miss dearly”.
They wrote: “We take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’s heart will beat for eternity.”
President Joe Biden also released a statement honouring Jones as a “musical genius who transformed the soul of America one beat, one rhythm, and one rhyme at a time”.
“In only a way he could, Quincy Jones solidified Black culture as American culture,” Biden wrote.
“He was a great unifier, who believed deeply in the healing power of music to restore hope and uplift those suffering from hunger, poverty, and violence, in America and the continent of Africa.”
Meanwhile, the likes of Paul McCartney, The Weeknd and New Order have paid tribute to Jones online.
In other news, Lady Gaga performed at Kamala Harris’ pre-election rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania last night (November 4). Harris made a surprise guest appearance on Saturday Night Live last weekend alongside comedian Maya Rudolph.
