Roy Ayers, the jazz and R&B musician known as the "godfather of neo-soul" music, has died following a "long illness." He was 84. The news was shared Wednesday night to Ayers' social media accounts,

The legendary American vibraphonist, composer and pioneer of jazz-funk died Tuesday, his family said. He was 84.

Roy Ayers, the “king of neo-soul” and artist behind “Everybody Loves Sunshine,” has died. His family confirmed his death after suffering a “long illness” on social media. He was 84 years old. The family described Ayers to Variety as a “highly influential and sought after as a music collaborator.

Jazz- funk legend Roy Ayers has died at the age of 84, his family has confirmed. The American musician, best known for the hit track ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’ passed away on March 4 after a long illness.

The legendary jazzman’s compositions are instantly recognizable through decades of samples in hip-hop, R&B, and more.

They described him as "highly influential and sought after as a music collaborator." Ayers' own biggest hit was the mellow track Everybody Loves the Sunshine, which was covered by

Roy Ayers, who wrote the oft-sampled “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” and the soundtrack to Coffy, has died. He was 84. Ayers’s family broke the news of his death to Variety, writing ““It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist,

Vibraphonist Roy Ayers, a band leader and pioneering composer and producer of jazz, funk, soul and R&B, has died. Ayers, who is known for the celebrated song “ Everybody Loves the Sunshine ,” died Tuesday, his family announced Wednesday. He was 84.

Jazz-funk musician Roy Ayers died on Tuesday after a "long illness," his family announced in a statement shared to his social media accounts.

Roy Ayers, the jazz-soul vibraphonist and bandleader behind 'Everybody Loves the Sunshine' whose music became the backbone for younger artists, dies at age 84.