Jazz-funk pioneer, vibraphonist, composer and producer Roy Ayers died of natural causes following a long illness on March 4 in New York City. He was 84.
Ayers’ family announced his passing in a Facebook post on Wednesday evening.
“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,” the post read.
The post continued, “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.”
Known as “The Godfather of Neo-Soul,” Ayers composed the hits “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”, “Lifeline”, “No Stranger to Love”, and “Running Away.”
Ayers grew up in a musical family. His father played trombone and his mother played piano. At the age of 5, he was given his first pair of vibraphone mallets by jazz great Lionel Hampton (1908-2002).
In 1963, Ayers released his debut studio album West Coast Vibes featuring a collaboration with the saxophonist Curtis Amy.
After dropping out of Los Angeles City College, Ayers joined jazz flutist Herbie Mann on tour in 1966. In the early 1970s, Ayers formed his own band called Roy Ayers Ubiquity.
In the 1970s, Ayers composed music for movie soundtracks including the 1973 blaxploitation film Coffy, starring Pam Grier.
He later transitioned from jazz-funk to R&B, as heard on the title track from his studio album Everybody Loves the Sunshine (1976).
The album peaked at number 51 on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2016, Pitchfork listed “Sunshine” at number 72 on the “200 Best Songs of the 1970s”.
Ayers played the vibraphone, electric piano, synthesizer, percussion, and contributed lead vocals to “Sunshine.”
“It was so spontaneous. It felt wonderful,” Ayers told The Guardian in 2017 of the song’s creation. “And I knew exactly how I wanted it to sound: a mix of vibraphone, piano and a synthesizer.”
Roy Ayers performed his classic song during a Tiny Desk Concert on Jan. 24, 2018.
“Sunshine” has been sampled over 100 times by artists such as Tupac Shakur, Mary J. Blige, and Dr. Dre.
Ayers is survived by three children with his wife Argerie. He also had a son, the writer Nabil Ayers, from a previous relationship.
