Beloved jazz and soul musician, producer dies at age 84

Roy Ayers, legendary vibraphonist and musician behind hits like "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" and "Mystic Voyage," has died at 84.

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Musician Roy Ayers, shown in 2017, has died at the age of 84.(Themba Hadebe, Associated Press file photo)

NEW YORK — Roy Ayers, a musician and producer called “The Godfather of Neo Soul,” has died at the age of 84 after a long illness.

A post on social media from Ayers' family says Ayers died Tuesday in New York City.

“It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist, composer and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing,” the posts says. “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 was born on Sept. 10, 1940, in Los Angeles, according to Billboard. He began playing the vibraphone at age 5 and he began his professional music career in 1962.

He first performed with saxophonist Curtis Amy and The Jack Wilson Quartet. In 1963, he released his first solo recording, “West Coast Vibes.” In the early 1970s, he started his own band, Roy Ayers Ubiquity. In 1976, he had his biggest hit while with the band, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” He also had a hit with “Mystic Voyage” in 1975.

Variety reports Ayers' influence was wide and that his songs were sampled by multiple artists, including Mary J. Blige, Common, and Tyler the Creator. He also worked with the Roots, Guru, Fela Kuti and Rick James.

In an interview with People, Blige cited how Ayers' played an important role on her song “My Life.”

“‘My Life’ is one of the most important records of my life,” Blige tells People. “It’s definitely one of the most important and it’s one of my favorite songs ever sampled, which is Roy Ayers’ ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine.’”

Ayers is survived by his wife Argerie, and their children, Mtume and Ayana Ayers.

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