Roy Ayers, the pioneering jazz-funk vibraphonist and composer, passed away at age 84 in New York City on March 4, 2025, following a prolonged illness.

Photo Credit: Roy Ayers by Stuart Sevastos / CC by 2.0

Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Ayers' musical journey began at age five when legendary vibraphonist Lionel Hampton gifted him his first pair of mallets during a concert. This encounter proved transformative, setting the stage for his future career.

In the 1970s, Ayers found his signature sound through Roy Ayers Ubiquity, his band that masterfully blended soulful horns, funk grooves, and jazz improvisation. His most celebrated composition, "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" (1976), became a timeless classic that has been covered by numerous artists and sampled hundreds of times by musicians including Tupac Shakur, Mary J. Blige, and Dr. Dre.

Throughout his career, Ayers collaborated with contemporary artists like Alicia Keys, The Roots, Tyler the Creator, and Erykah Badu, who dubbed him the "king of neo-soul." His influence extends across generations, with his music being sampled by artists such as Rick James, Pharrell Williams, and A Tribe Called Quest.

His family has announced that a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

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