The Pop Corporation

Roy Ayers has sadly departed, as confirmed via an announcement from his team. He’d been suffering a long illness.

“It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist, composter and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4th, 2025 in New York City after a long illness.”

“He lived a beautiful 84 years and will be sorely missed. His family ask that you respect their privacy at this time, a celebration of Roy’s life will be forthcoming.”

Ayers, of course, was a hugely gifted songwriter, arranger and band leader, and somehow managed to straddle jazz-fusion, psychedelic soul, disco, and funk, and was embraced by hip hop producers, and just about anyone with a half-decent record collection.

Most keenly, you hear the influence of his glittering back catalogue in the Neo Soul scene, who leaned heavily on his sophisticated, jazzy funk.

In tracks like ‘Searching’, Ayers married all the columns of black American music and showed a way forward that many would follow sonically, being a leading voice of accessible, but intelligent soul music alongside Stevie Wonder and the Weather Report.

From humble beginnings it all started, with Ayers taking to the vibraphone after seeing Lionel Hampton’s group in concert. It wouldn’t be long before Roy was making records of his own.

He made himself a global influence in the ’70s when he started to put out records with Roy Ayers Ubiquity, and created an all-timer of a track with ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’, in ’76.

In later years, the Neo Soulies made the circle complete, with Erykah Badu featuring on his 2004 LP, ‘Mahogany Vibe’. In 2015, he worked with Tyler The Creator, showing the length of his influence and popularity.

Pay the best tribute and go and listen to some of Roy Ayers music this weekend.