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Pianists · 1940–2025

Roy Ayers

American funk, soul, and jazz composer, vibraphone player, and music producer (1940–2025)

Born: 10 September 1940
Los Angeles
Died: 4 March 2025
New York City
Country: United States
Active: 1962–2023
Record labels: Atlantic Records
Discography: 41 albums

Biography

Roy Ayers was a jazz musician who played piano, vibraphone and voice. Roy Ayers was born on 10 September 1940 in Los Angeles and died on 4 March 2025 in New York City. The music is usually filed under jazz, soul and post-bop. Record labels: Atlantic Records. The discography here lists 41 albums, from “Jack Wilson Quartet Featuring Roy Ayers” (1963) to “Secrets Of The Sun” (2025).

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.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Jack Wilson Quartet Featuring Roy Ayers 1963

West Coast Vibes 1963

Ramblin' 1966

Virgo Vibes 1967

Stoned Soul Picnic 1968

Daddy Bug 1969

Ubiquity 1970

Coffy 1973

Let's Do It 1978

Step in to Our Life 1978

You Send Me 1978

Fever 1979

No Stranger to Love 1979

Love Fantasy 1980

Music of Many Colours 1980

Prime Time 1980

Africa, Center of the World 1981

Feeling Good 1982

Lots of Love 1983

Silver Vibrations 1983

In the Dark 1984

You Might Be Surprised 1985

I'm the One 1987

Wake Up 1989

Searchin' 1991 · Live

Double Trouble 1992

Hot 1992 · Live

Good Vibrations 1993 · Live

The Essential Groove - Live 1994 · Live

Nasté 1995

Vibesman: Live at Ronnie Scotts 1995 · Live

Smiling Faces 1997

Spoken Word 1998

Smooth Jazz 1999

Perfection 2000

Live at Ronnie Scott's - London 1988 2001 · Live

Mahogany Vibe 2004

Sunshine Man 2005

Jazz Is Dead 2 2020

Good Vibes / Bad Vibes 2023

Secrets Of The Sun 2025

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Roy Ayers play?

Roy Ayers is known for playing piano, vibraphone and voice.

When and where was Roy Ayers born?

Roy Ayers was born 10 September 1940 in Los Angeles.

What are Roy Ayers's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include Jack Wilson Quartet Featuring Roy Ayers (1963), West Coast Vibes (1963), Ramblin' (1966), Virgo Vibes (1967) and Stoned Soul Picnic (1968).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.