#3 Roy Ayers

Roy Ayers enjoys legendary status among soul, funk and jazz fans for his impressive body of work, spanning many decades, as composer, musician and performer. Also noteworthy is the role Ayers played in the evolution of disco music.

Roy was born on September 10th, 1940 in South Central Los Angeles, California into a musical family. By the age of 17 he had started playing the vibraphone, which was to become his trademark instrument and sound. In his early twenties, Roy became a player in the West Coast Jazz scene and recorded and performed with the likes of Jack Wilson and Herbie Mann.

In 1970 Roy formed his group, The Roy Ayers Ubiquity. The group began as an R&B-jazz-rock outfit (Ubiquity, 1971, Move to Groove, 1972, Coffy Soundtrack, 1973) but would later evolve a funk and disco sound (Mystic Voyage, 1975, Runnin’ Away 1976).

Through the 80s and the birth of hip-hop, Roy’s work became less musically pivotal but nevertheless well crafted and always contemporary and some solid tracks emerged from this period, notably Africa Center of The World (1981).

Roy Ayers work has been extensively sampled and he enjoys iconic status amongst fans of music, especially Jazz and R&B but also hip-hop, disco and others. He continues to tour, and the we here at Soul Evolution have been lucky enough to see him live on many occasions, including a notable set at Camden’s Jazz Cafe.

Did you know?

Roy Ayers’ tracks have featured frequently in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise. In the most recent instalment, GTA IV, Roy even hosts fictional radio channel Fusion FM.

Roy’s favourite album by another artist is ‘What’s Goin’ On?’ by Marvin Gaye, 1971 – as well as the title track this album also features The Ecology (Mercy, Mercy Me) – good choice Roy!