Roy Ayers, the influential jazz-funk pioneer and vibraphonist known for creating "Everybody Loves the Sunshine," passed away at age 84 in New York City on March 4, 2025, following a lengthy illness.

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

Born in Los Angeles on September 10, 1940, Ayers' musical journey began at age five when legendary vibraphonist Lionel Hampton gifted him his first pair of mallets after watching young Roy's enthusiastic response at a concert.

During the 1970s, Ayers developed his distinctive sound through Roy Ayers Ubiquity, his band that masterfully blended soulful horns, funk grooves, and jazz improvisation. His 1976 hit "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" became his signature piece, performed countless times over decades and covered by numerous artists including D'Angelo and the Robert Glasper Experiment.

Ayers' influence extends far beyond jazz, with his music being sampled by hip-hop and R&B artists including Tupac Shakur, Mary J. Blige, and Dr. Dre. Modern artists such as Alicia Keys, The Roots, Tyler the Creator, and Erykah Badu - who dubbed him the "king of neo-soul" - have all collaborated with him.

His continuing relevance and impact on modern music remained strong until his passing, with Ayers noting in 2016, "It's wonderful, the desire young people express for my music. It's wonderful because I'm still growing in popularity."

Related Articles

Previous Articles