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Roy Ayers, the legendary jazz vibraphonist and revered “Godfather of Neo Soul,” passed away on Tuesday (March 4), in New York City at the age of 84 after a long illness.
Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Ayers was introduced to the vibraphone at just five years old when jazz great Lionel Hampton gifted him a pair of mallets.
His career spanned over six decades, beginning with his debut solo album, West Coast Vibes, in 1963.
In the early 1970s, Ayers formed his band, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, pioneering a fusion of jazz, funk, and soul.
His 1976 classic, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” became one of his most iconic tracks, later sampled by Hip-Hop icons such as Brand Nubian, Dr. Dre, Pete Rock, J. Cole, and Tupac Shakur.