Roy Ayers, the legendary jazz-funk vibraphonist known for his influential sound and the hit song “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” has died at the age of 84. His family confirmed his passing on Tuesday.
“It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist, composer, and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4, 2025 in New York City after a long illness,” the family said in a statement to Variety. They described Ayers as “highly influential and sought after as a music collaborator.”
Ayers, often called the “Godfather of Neo Soul,” left an indelible mark on jazz, funk, R&B and hip-hop. His music has been widely sampled by artists such as Mary J. Blige, A Tribe Called Quest, Common and Kanye West. The musician’s influence extended beyond his own recordings, with collaborations spanning from jazz greats like Fela Kuti to modern stars like Erykah Badu and Tyler, the Creator.
A Lasting Legacy
Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Ayers was inspired to take up the vibraphone after seeing Lionel Hampton’s Big Band at the age of five. He later studied music theory at Los Angeles City College before launching his professional career in the early 1960s.
zz/KGC-138/STAR MAX/IPx 2019
Ayers first recorded as a sideman with saxophonist Curtis Amy before releasing his debut album, West Coast Vibes, in 1963. He later formed Roy Ayers Ubiquity, the group responsible for Everybody Loves the Sunshine (1976), which remains a defining track of the jazz-funk era.
Ayers also made a name for himself in film soundtracks, composing the score for the 1973 blaxploitation classic Coffy, starring Pam Grier. His ability to merge jazz, funk and soul helped shape the neo-soul movement, and his impact can still be felt in modern music. Even late into his career, Ayers continued to perform and collaborate, releasing Roy Ayers JID002 with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad in 2020.
Tributes from the Music Industry
As news of Ayers’ passing spread, tributes poured in from across the music world.
Mary J. Blige, who sampled Everybody Loves the Sunshine in her 1994 album My Life, shared a heartfelt message on social media: “RIP Roy Ayers ❤️🕊️”.
Producer and DJ Premier paid tribute to Ayers’ legacy, writing: “ICON is a status we all strive to earn in our journey of greatness. Thank you ROY AYERS for your heavy soul music. Thank you for touring with GURU and being a member of his Jazzmatazz Vol. 1 delivery. R.I.P. to both of you Kings.”
Erykah Badu and Swizz Beatz reshared tribute messages from Ebony Magazine on their Instagram stories.
British singer Estelle shared a deeply personal tribute along with a photo of herself with Ayers, writing on Instagram: “This day was special.
My grandad on my dad’s side got to see me perform w one of his heroes. My grandad was a steel pan player in Trinidad and Grenada.
So the vibraphone being the cousin of the steel pan naturally it was a time and to make it even more special this may have been the year i had re-connected w my dad since i was 3 and also then been re-introduced to my grandad. I was 22.
Music has taken me to some of the most incredible places and I’ve sung with and for some incredible humans. Thank you for allowing me to be on stage with you our legend Roy Ayers.”
Ayers’ pioneering fusion of jazz, funk and soul has left a lasting imprint on the music industry. His sound continues to be sampled, remixed and celebrated by artists across genres.