How Quincy Jones came to Bremerton, and launched into history

One of the more significant naming projects in recent Bremerton history is the designation of "Quincy Square" at downtown's Fourth Street. The vision forged by residents and city leaders now calls for a renovated block between Washington and Pacific Avenues, with millions in funding already committed to a vibrant urban gathering place with elements that focus on the arts. It will be built to honor Quincy Jones, and do so with the legendary artist's blessing, after he spent his formative years in the city and went on to greatness in the music industry.

Jones, also known simply as "Q", was born in 1933 on the south side of Chicago, which at that time was known as the biggest ghetto in the world. There, in his youth, he witnessed the killing of teachers and police shooting black teenagers in the back. Every street was a territory which was ran by a gang. Everybody, including Q, carried a switchblade knife for protection. Q felt that if he had stayed in Chicago, he would have been killed due to the violence around him. Luckily, he spent his summers in Louisville, Kentucky, with his grandmother, a former slave, and listened intently to her stories covering her life experiences.

Q's father migrated to Bremerton during World War ll, as did hundreds of other African American families, to work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for the war effort. Q's family was housed in Sinclair Heights, which was segregated, and he attended Coontz Junior High, which was integrated. Bremerton was the opposite end of the spectrum from his experience in Chicago. He described Bremerton as "a nice little town" where he eventually realized that he did not have to carry the switchblade. Q stated that Coontz was a model of racial integration, although various corners of Bremerton had the germs of racial segregation for African Americans.

Over the years Q has told a story of how he would sit in his room and stare out into the Bremerton skies at night, thinking about his dream of becoming a musician.

He also shared the story of the night he and a few buddies broke into the armory in Sinclair Heights. While inside, and as his buddies were taking items, he began to tinker with a piano. It was at that moment the world of music greeted him, he would later say. He knew for sure that music was the key to funnel joy, pain and happiness to the world.

Due to the small population of Blacks in Bremerton, Jones struggled to find his identity. He moved to Seattle and was impressed by the number of Black musicians he saw coming through the music circuit, bringing dignity and pride which reinforced his dream of becoming a musician.

Thus began his journey of enlightening the world to his musical talents. In Seattle, he attended Garfield High and later Seattle University on a music scholarship. While there he played with Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton and other great musicians.

His  career spans over 70 years in the entertainment industry. He impacted numerous genres of music from Blues to Jazz to Rock and Roll to Classical to Rap to Fusion to Funk. The array of "Masters of Music" for which he composed, arranged, wrote, and orchestrated include Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Brothers Johnson, Lionel Hampton (who incidentally, had the first Rock and Roll Band in America), and to Michael Jackson; the list  goes on and on

He  brought distinct American hybrid music that had come from  the African American experience, which found itself at the bottom of their souls and came out as music translating pain to joy.

He enlisted an array of musicians representing different genres to record the hit "We Are the World," which raised more than $63 million dollars to raise money for African famine relief. He was a founding member along with Jesse Jackson of Operation PUSH, and was instrumental in numerous other fundraising endeavors in the United States and around the world.

Q has been a record producer, conductor, arranger, record executive and songwriter, plus movie director. He has received numerous citations, honors, awards and nominations. He has earned 28 Grammy Awards making him the second-highest winner of all time, and has also been awarded an Emmy. He has also graced the cover of Jet Magazine and many other publications.

His life continues to influence new artists worldwide, which isn't bad for a young man from the south side of Chicago and Bremerton, Washington. A man who went from eating rats with his grandmother to eating dinner with President and Mrs. Obama. As we celebrate Quincy Jones’ legacy, we must return to his definition of his music: "To bridge generations and traverse musical boundaries which transcended language, politics, cultural and racial differences."

Roosevelt Smith is a trustee on the board of the Kitsap County History Museum, a Bremerton Arts Commissioner and writes a weekly column for the Kitsap Sun on Black History Month during the month of February. 

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Roosevelt Smith Quincy Jones journey to Bremerton