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Roy Ayers, Jazz-Funk Virtuoso, Dead at 84

Roy Ayers, the "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" jazz-funk virtuoso who paved the way for neo-soul, has died at age 84

“It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist, composer, and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4, 2025 in New York City after a long illness.” A specific cause of death was not immediately available. Cultivating a smooth signature sound that wove lush soul, elastic jazz, and tight funk, Ayers emphasized rhythm and texture, a combination that gave him a handful of crossover R&B hits; “Running Away” cracked Billboard’s R&B Top 20 in 1977, with “Hot” matching that feat in 1985. Its warm, comforting vibes turned it into an enduring standard that eclipsed its chart position, thanks considerably to it being repurposed on hip-hop records by generations of musicians raised on his music.

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