Influential soul, jazz, and funk producer and composer Roy Ayers has died at the age of 84.
In a statement posted on Facebook, his family said: “It is with deep sadness that the family of the legendary vibraphonist, composer, and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing, which occurred on March 4, 2025, in New York City after a prolonged illness.”
They described him as “highly influential and widely sought after as a musical collaborator.”
Ayers’s biggest hit was the mellow track “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” which was covered by artists like d’Angelo and sampled by others, including Mary J. Blige and Tyler, the Creator.
But he was much more than just his most well-known record. A pioneer of nu-soul and jazz-funk, he was a key figure in the 90s acid jazz movement.
“Happy” and “Blurred Lines” singer Pharrell Williams has described him as one of his greatest musical inspirations.
Ayers had a significant influence on many RnB and hip-hop stars, particularly in the 90s, with artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Mary J. Blige, and Jill Scott sampling his earlier work on tracks like “Bonita Applebaum,” “My Life,” and “Watching Me.”
He also collaborated with Guru and The Roots. Erykah Badu called him “the king of neo-soul.”
More recently, Calvin Harris told BBC Radio 2 that Ayers “just stood out; his music is amazing and so intricate… everything sounds so rich and warm.”
Ayers performed at Glastonbury multiple times; his last performance there was in 2019.
He also wrote and produced the soundtrack for the blaxploitation film “Coffy,” starring Pam Grier.
Ayers could play several instruments, including the flute and trumpet, but he became synonymous with the vibraphone, a percussion instrument similar to a xylophone but with metal bars instead of wood.
His other hits include “Running Away” and “Searchin’,” with his band Roy Ayers Ubiquity, who were also behind “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.”
Musical Family
Roy Edward Ayers Jr. was born into a musical family in Los Angeles on September 10, 1940.
His mother, Ruby, was a school teacher and piano instructor, while his father, Roy Sr., was a parking attendant and trombonist.
Ayers began playing the piano at the age of five and went on to play various instruments and sing in the church choir before settling on the vibraphone.
Jazz star Lionel Hampton may have played a part in this. Ayers attended a Lionel Hampton Big Band concert when he was just five years old. Impressed by Ayers’s enthusiasm and delight at the performance, Hampton gifted the youngster a pair of vibe mallets.
Ayers formed his first group while at Jefferson High School, aptly named the Jefferson Combo, and later studied advanced music theory in college.
He became a professional musician in 1961.
He went on to record three albums with jazz flautist Herbie Mann before forming Roy Ayers Ubiquity and achieving the hit “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” in 1976, from the album of the same name.
His last solo album, “Mahogany Vibes,” featuring Erykah Badu, was released in 2004.
Ayers is survived by his wife, Argerie, and their children, Mtume and Ayana Ayers.
The Facebook post on Ayers’s page added: “His family requests that you respect their privacy at this time. A celebration of Roy’s life will be announced in the future.”
