R.I.P. jazz legend Roy Ayers

Legendary jazz-funk artist Roy Ayers has died, following a long illness. He was 84.

“It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist, composer and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4th, 2025 in New York City after a long illness,” reads a post on his official Facebook page. “He lived a beautiful 84 years and will be sorely missed. His family ask that you respect their privacy at this time, a celebration of Roy’s life will be forthcoming.”

Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Ayers grew up in a musical family, and was given his first pair of vibraphone mallets by jazz legend Lionel Hampton at the age of five. He formed his first band in high school, called the Latin Lyrics, playing guitar and piano. He began recording as a sideman to other jazz musicians in the early ’60s and in 1963, he released his debut album, West Coast Vibes, a collaboration with saxophonist Curtis Amy.

In 1970, Ayers formed the band Roy Ayers Ubiquity, which he chose because it means being everywhere all the time. That same year he released Ubiquity, which showcased his group’s soulful jazz-funk sound. In 1973, Ayers composed and recorded the soundtrack for the Blaxploitation film Coffy, and in 1976 released Everybody Loves the Sunshine, the title track of which became his signature song.

In the 21st century, Ayers began to experiment with house music and launched his two labels, Uno Melodic and Gold Mink Records. His work has been a huge influence on neo-soul and hip-hop, and he’s been sampled by the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar, and he’s collaborated with Masters At Work, Kerri Chandler, Erykah Badu, and Tyler, The Creator.