Listen Up: The Lives Of Quincy Jones 34 years old

The extraordinary life of Quincy Jones -- one of the 20th century's most influential and talented composers, musicians and music producers -- provides the basis of this offbeat, free-form documentary tribute. With little regard for formal timelines and traditional documentary biography methods, the film is an amazing patchwork of personal insights featuring a constellation of music stars including his long-time friend Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie and rappers Big Daddy Kane and Flavor Flav, as well as politicians, filmmakers and other important people. Some of the most moving scenes involve Jones returning to his childhood home in Chicago and recounting honest and painful memories from his childhood. Jones does not shy from discussing everything -- from his mother's mental illness, to his marital problems, to his serious health conditions. He also looks frankly at his career.

Credits

Listen Up: The Lives Of Quincy Jones Cast

Name Character
Quincy Jones He was 57, now 91 years old as Himself
Ray Charles He was 60, 73 years old when he died as Himself
Big Daddy Kane He was 22, now 56 years old as Himself
Miles Davis He was 64, 65 years old when he died as Himself
El Debarge He was 29, now 63 years old as Himself
Clarence Avant He was 59, now 93 years old as Himself

Listen Up: The Lives Of Quincy Jones Crew

Name Department
Ellen Weissbrod as Director. Directing
Ellen Weissbrod as Writer. Writing
Listen Up: The Lives Of Quincy Jones poster
Listen Up: The Lives Of Quincy Jones (34 years)

  • Release day: Wednesday, October 03, 1990
  • Runtime: 115 minutes