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Roy Ayers, jazz-soul legend whose music was heavily sampled by younger artists, dies at 84

BBG News

84-year-old Roy Ayers, affectionately known as the “King of Neo Soul,” passed away in New York on Wednesday. Born and raised on Vernon Avenue, just south of downtown Los Angeles, Ayers’ music has been sampled by numerous hip-hop and soul legends over 60 times. He was a skilled bandleader and vibraphonist.

With profound sorrow, the family of renowned vibraphonist, composer, and producer Roy Ayers share the news of his passing on March 4th, 2025, in New York City following a lengthy illness. He lived a remarkable 84 years and will leave an indelible void. For now, we ask for privacy as we mourn; details about celebrating Roy’s life will be shared later.

As a fervent admirer, I’ve always been captivated by the musical genius of Roy Ayers. One of my all-time favorites is his track “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” which has accompanied some of the most memorable milestones in my life. During our courtship, Doug and I discovered a shared affection for Roy Ayers’ music, and bonding over this became one of our early connections. Our son, Cole, and I found common ground in our appreciation for his timeless tunes as well.

Since its debut in 1976, Ayers’ “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” has become a beloved anthem across Southern California. The enduring popularity of this jazz-influenced soul track can be attributed to its frequent use in hip-hop and soul music, with numerous artists such as Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, J Dilla, 2Pac, J. Cole, and many more incorporating samples of the song into their tracks.

A multitude of other artists, such as Tyler, the Creator, Jill Scott, and Madlib, have utilized Ayers’ music in their work, which has granted him a prestigious standing within the realm of music producers and DJs. During the 1970s, Ayers served as the bandleader for the six-piece group Roy Ayers Ubiquity, and his efforts significantly contributed to the emergence of the acid jazz subgenre.

In 2011, Ayers shared with The Times that without music, life wouldn’t feel worthwhile for him. He described it as a means of escaping when there seems to be no other way out, providing brief respite. Interestingly, he mentioned that although he suspected around 60 artists had sampled his work, he never asked anyone to do so.

He mentioned that they recently began using them, and it’s delightful to listen to how individuals creatively interpret my tones.

Roy Ayers, born on September 10, 1940, in the south part of Los Angeles, hailed from a family steeped in music – his father played the trombone, while his mother was skilled at the piano. Growing up, he lived amidst the vibrant Central Avenue Jazz era during the 1940s and ’50s (referred to back then as South Park). This neighborhood served as a tranquil haven of African American culture, nurturing greats such as renowned musicians like Dexter Gordon and Charles Mingus.

In 2011, Ayers shared with The Times that, at the age of five, in the audience at the Paramount Theater, he received his first pair of mallets from the renowned Lionel Hampton. “At that moment,” Ayers recalled, “my parents told me he infused me with some spiritual energy.” He subsequently chose the vibraphone as his instrument when he picked it up as a 17-year-old student at Thomas Jefferson High School.

In the year 1962, Ayers introduced his first album titled “West Coast Vibes.” Following his departure from Los Angeles City College, he moved to New York City in 1966 and embarked on tours alongside flute player Herbie Mann.

In 1973, the musician wed Argerie Ayers, and together they had a son named Mtume and a daughter named Ayana. Later, Ayana took on the role of his manager. Additionally, he fathered another son, author Nabil Ayers, with Louise Braufman, who was once a ballerina but later worked as a waitress.

As a band leader, Ayers has put out 20 studio albums, 9 collaborative projects, and 6 live collections. He also released 17 singles, most of which came from the ’70s and ’80s, with tracks like “Don’t Stop the Feeling,” “Hot,” “Running Away,” “Get on Up, Get on Down,” and “In the Dark.

In 1973, he composed the soundtrack for the Blaxploitation movie “Coffy,” a production that was jointly penned by its lead actress Pam Grier and director Jack Hall. Quentin Tarantino’s Vista Theater-themed coffee shop, Coffy’s Retro Diner, is a tribute to this project, and Tarantino incorporated the “Coffy” soundtrack into his 1997 movie featuring Pam Grier, titled “Jackie Brown.

In 1973, the head of PolyGram approached Roy and asked him to create a soundtrack. Despite never having done one before, Roy agreed and was sent to California to work on the project. The producer showed him the movie and explained what needed to be done, and Roy completed the task using his experience with large bands.

In the 1990s, Ayers experienced a major resurgence in his career. This was due to the fact that hip-hop was at its peak (the Golden Era) and many sample-focused emcees found value in his extensive discography, incorporating his music into their own work. The nickname “King of Neo Soul” was given to him by singer-songwriter Erykah Badu, one of the artists who collaborated with him on his 2004 album titled “Mahogany Vibe.

Ayers explained to The Times in 2020 via email that he composed ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’ as a reflection of his feelings at the time. He suggested that maybe because the weather is so sunny and beautiful on the West Coast, those qualities are reflected in the song.

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2025-03-06 21:31

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