Roy Ayers, the legendary jazz-funk vibraphonist and pioneer of the renowned song ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’, took his last breath on March 4, at the age of 84. His family confirmed on social media that he was battling a long time illness. Ayers, who was an original practitioner of hard bop, eased into the jazz fusion genre in the early 1970s, with the formation of a music group called Roy Ayers Ubiquity.
He was one of the pioneers of the neo-soul movement. As a solo artist, he has released dozens of albums, dating back to 1963. Let’s take a look at the legendary artist’s musical journey.
The musical journey of Roy Ayers
Roy Ayers was born on September 10, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, in a musical family. What inspired Ayers was an encounter with vibraphonist Lionel Hampton at the tender age of five that inspired him heavily to pursue vibraphone himself. Once mastered the craft, he started his journey in 1963 with his debut solo album West Coast Vibes.
In the late 1960s he partnered with jazz flutist Herbie Mann, who helped in changing his perspective on fusion music. The partnership with Mann broadened Ayer’s musical horizon and set the stage for his innovative composition of jazz and funk.
With the formation of his group Roy Ayers Ubiquity, he became an integral part of the jazz-funk movement, seamlessly blending soulful music with jazz improvisation, commonly seen in his albums like He’s Coming (1972) and Red, Black & Green.
A legacy of influence of Roy Ayers
In 1976, Ayers released the album Everybody Loves the Sunshine, featuring the eponymous track that went on becoming his signature song. With the characterization of its mellow tunes and soothing vocals, the song captured the essence of summer and resonated with audiences worldwide.
The enduring appeal of the song led to being sampled by artists like Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, A Tribe Called Quest, Kanye West, Common, and Tyler the Creator across various genres, including hip-hop and R&B. This cemented Ayers’ status as a foundational influence in neo-soul music.
Legendary musician Roy Ayers passes away at 84
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Beyond Everybody Loves the Sunshine, Ayers’ extensive body of work includes collaborations with notable artists such as Fela Kuti and Erykah Badu. His contributions to the soundtrack of the 1973 film Coffy, starring Pam Grier, showcased his versatility and ability to cross musical boundaries.
Ayers’ innovative spirit and dedication towards composing fusion music left an incredible mark on the music industry. His ability to fuse genres has created timeless music that continues to inspire artists today.
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