Farewell to a jazz legend: Roy Ayers dies at the age of 84

He was considered a pioneer of jazz radio and shaped entire generations of musicians with his virtuoso vibrafon game: now US musician Roy Ayers (1940-2025) died in New York City at the age of 84. The sad news made his family public via social media.

“With great grief, the family of the legendary vibraphonist, composer and producer Roy Ayers announces his death, which took place on March 4, 2025 in New York City after a long illness, “. “He lived a wonderful 84 years and will be painfully missing. His family asks to respect their privacy. A celebration in honor of Roys will follow shortly.”

Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Ayers grew up in a musical parents’ house. His mother was a pianist, his father tromboneist. Ayers came into contact with the vibrafon at the age of five when he received a few mallets from the legendary Lionel Hampton (1908-2002). This instrument should shape his life and make it one of the most respected vibraphonists in music history.

Ayers began his professional career in 1962 as Sideman for the saxophonist Curtis Amy (1929-2002) and the cool jazz ensemble The Jack Wilson Quartet. His solo debut album “West Coast Vibes” followed in 1963. He made his breakthrough in 1970 with his own band Roy Ayers Ubiquity. Three years later, he composed the soundtrack for the Blaxploitation film “Coffy – Die Raubat” with Pam Grier (75) in the leading role, which helped him to be aware of greater awareness.

In the second half of the 1970s, the “Godfather of Neo Soul” experienced its commercial climax. His album “Mystic Voyage” (1975) reached 13th place on the top R&B/hip-hop albums Chart, while “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” (1976) climbed up to 10th place in the same charts and 51 of the Billboard 200.

The title song of the latter album was to become one of his best -known works and was later made by artists such as Dr. Dre (60), Mary J. Blige (54) and Common (52) sampled as well as d’Angelo (51), Jamie Cullum (45) and Robert Glasper (46).

Ayers remained successful in the 1980s, even if he could never record a hit in the Hot 100. His single “Hot” achieved 20th place in the top R&B/hip-hop songs charts in 1986, while his collaboration with Eric Benet (58), “When you think of me”, ended up in 46th place in 2000. Roy Ayers remained active until the 21st century.

Roy Ayers leaves his wife Argerie and her two children Mume and Ayana Ayers.