Roy Ayers, the jazz and R&B pioneer revered as the "godfather of neo-soul" music, has passed away after a protracted battle with illness, aged 84. The solemn announcement was conveyed on Wednesday evening across Ayers' social media platforms, including his official Facebook page. "The family of the iconic vibraphonist, composer, and producer Roy Ayers, with profound sorrow, announces his demise on March 4th, 2025, in New York City, following a long illness," the statement lamented. "He lived a magnificent 84 years and will be deeply missed. His family humbly requests your respect for their privacy during this time; a commemoration of Roy's life will be announced in due course." USA TODAY has reached out to Ayers' representatives for further comment.
Born on September 10, 1940, in Los Angeles, Roy Ayers was immersed in music from a tender age. His mother, a schoolteacher and piano instructor, and his father, Roy Sr., a trombonist, cultivated a musical atmosphere at home. As a choirboy, Ayers formed his maiden musical ensemble during his tenure at Thomas Jefferson High School. Years later, in 1963, he unveiled his debut album, "West Coast Vibes."
A decade later, he founded Roy Ayers Ubiquity, which spawned one of his most beloved tracks, "Everybody Loves the Sunshine." Collaborating with artists like Erykah Badu, Tyler, The Creator, and The Roots, Ayers also contributed to notable works, including the soundtrack for the 1973 blaxploitation film "Coffy," starring Pam Grier. His music left an indelible mark on fellow musicians, including Kanye "Ye" West, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige, who sampled his 1976 song "Searching."
In an interview with the Washington Post in 2013, Ayers described neo-soul as "a sound that embraces a myriad of different genres." He elaborated, "I appreciate it because it's more inclusive than saying I just play jazz, or funk, or blues. I play neo-soul." Tracing the genre's origin, he cited one of his recent releases at that time, "Neo Soul Groove." He recounted, "Erykah Badu was featured on it, and during the recording sessions, she told me, 'Roy, you're the king of neo-soul. It's your music because you're the one who inspired us all.' I was contemplating naming my next album 'Neo Soul.' It's stuck in my mind. It excites me."
Even in his 80s, Ayers' passion for performing remained unyielding, with his final live appearances seemingly in 2023. After embarking on a "farewell tour" in May 2023, he updated his fans about his health struggles in a July 2023 Facebook post, revealing his inability to return to the stage that year. "Dear fans, unfortunately, due to health complications arising from a recent bout with Covid-19, I regretfully have to cancel my upcoming performances for 2023," he penned. However, the announcement concluded on an optimistic note: "We harbored high hopes for my recovery, but all concerned deemed this the best course of action now. Once I've adequately healed and moved past this, I aspire to resume my work."
