Roy Ayers legendary jazz-funk pioneer dies at 84

Roy Ayers, the influential jazz vibraphonist and pioneer of jazz-funk, passed away at the age of 84. Known for his iconic hit Everybody Loves the Sunshine, Ayers’ music shaped generations of artists across jazz, funk, neo-soul, and hip-hop.
His family confirmed his passing in a statement to Variety, saying, “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.”
Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Ayers was introduced to music at an early age, inspired by Lionel Hampton’s Big Band. He mastered the vibraphone and debuted in the early 1960s, recording with saxophonist Curtis Amy before launching his solo career with West Coast Vibes in 1963. Over the following decades, he collaborated with legends like Herbie Mann, Fela Kuti, and The Roots, while his music became a staple for hip-hop and R&B artists, sampled by Mary J. Blige, A Tribe Called Quest, Kanye West, and Tyler, the Creator.
Ayers’ influence extended beyond jazz. His 1976 track Everybody Loves the Sunshine remains a classic, accumulating over 130 million Spotify streams. He continued recording into the 2000s, releasing his final solo album Mahogany Vibe in 2004 and collaborating on Roy Ayers JID002 in 2020 with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad.
Roy Ayers is survived by his wife, Argerie, and children, Mtume and Ayana Ayers.