| First Name |
Roy
|
| Middle Name |
Edward
|
| Last Name |
Ayers
|
| Full Name at Birth |
Roy Edward Ayers Jr.
|
| Alternative Name |
Roy Ayers, Roy Ayres, Roy Edward Ayers Jr., The Godfather of Neo Soul
|
| Birthday |
10th September, 1940
|
| Birthplace |
Los Angeles, California, USA
|
| Died |
4th March, 2025
|
| Place of Death |
Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
|
| Cause of Death |
Long Illness
|
| Build |
Average
|
| Eye Color |
Brown - Dark
|
| Hair Color |
Black
|
| Zodiac Sign |
Virgo
|
| Sexuality |
Straight
|
| Religion |
Christian
|
| Ethnicity |
Black
|
| Nationality |
American
|
| High School |
Nevins Middle School, Thomas Jefferson High School
|
| University |
Los Angeles City College
|
| Occupation Text |
Musician, composer, singer, band leader, vibraphonist, record producer
|
| Occupation |
Musician
|
| Claim to Fame |
his hit song "Everybody Loves the Sunshine," as well as his soundtrack for the 1973 blaxploitation film Coffy. He was also famous for his numerous collaborations, which included working with artists like A Tribe Called Quest, 50 Cent, and Tyler, the Creator, and for being a highly influential figure whose music has been extensively sampled and remixed
|
| Music Genre (Text) |
Jazz, Jazz-Fusion, Funk, Acid Jazz, Disco, Soul Jazz, R&B, House, Hip Hop, Post-bop, Jazz-Funk, Soul
|
| Music Genre |
Jazz
|
| Year(s) Active |
1962–present, 1962–present, 1962–2023
|
| Music Style |
Jazz-Funk, Easy Listening, Instrumental Pop, Soul Jazz, Fusion, Jazz-Pop, Jazz Instrument, Vibraphone/ Marimba Jazz
|
| Music Mood |
Summery, Stylish, Laid-Back/Mellow, Warm, Relaxed, Soothing, Intimate, Amiable/Good-Natured, Cheerful, Sensual, Joyous, Passionate, Party/Celebratory, Earthy, Organic, Playful
|
| Instrument |
Vibraphone
|
| Instrument (text) |
Vocals, Vibraphone, Keyboards
|
| Record Label |
Atlantic, Polydor, Ichiban, Golden Mink, Nature Sounds, Columbia
|
| Associated Acts |
Ramp, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, Fela Kuti, Tyler The Creator, Edwin Birdsong
|
| Official Websites |
http://www.royayers.com, http://royayers.com
|
Roy Edward Ayers Jr. (September 10, 1940 – March 4, 2025) was an American vibraphonist, record producer, and composer. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several studio albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure at Polydor Records beginning in the 1970s, during which he helped to pioneer jazz-funk. He was a key figure in the acid jazz movement, and has been described as "The Godfather of Neo Soul". He was best known for his compositions "Everybody Loves the Sunshine", "Running Away", and "Freaky Deaky" and others that charted in the 1970s. At one time, Ayers was listed among the performers whose music was most often sampled by rappers.
