Roy Ayers

Following studies with jazz giant and neighbor Bobby Hutcherson, he paid his dues as a journeyman, releasing his debut West Coast Vibes in 1961 and touring as part of flutist Herbie Mann’s band. The 70s saw Ayers come into his own as a composer and bandleader, forming his wildly popular Ubiquity group that fully embraced the funk and dance rhythms that were, and remain, the lifeblood of urban pop music. The albums Ayers issued during the 70s, including He’s Coming, Red, Black & Green, Vibrations, Everybody Loves the Sunshine, and his landmark soundtrack to the classic 1973 Pam Grier blaxsploitation film Coffy, are classics of the genre and have made Ayers a celebrated, near mythic figure in contemporary R&B, hip-hop and soul music. He has most recently been working with a number of today’s major artists including Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, and others. With a career spanning over four decades and over 60 albums, Ayers remains a vital force in modern music, bringing a joyous energy to every performance.