“This neat, feel good gig showed exactly why the New York-based vibraphonist, composer and bandleader is a longstanding crowd favourite in the UK.”– The Evening Standard
Award-winning Jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers is one of the most sampled artists in R&B and Hip Hop and comes to show off his dynamic musical library in Sydney before joining Bluesfest in Byron Bay later in April.
As the son of musicians, Roy delved into music himself at the tender age of five and would learn several instruments growing up, including piano, guitar, the drums and his eventual favourite, the vibraphone.
He started his musical career in 1962 recording as a bebop sideman but didn’t become a well-known musician until he dropped out of College to pursue his passion of music and joined jazz flutist Herbie Mann in 1966.
He later started his own band called Roy Ayers Ubiquity and worked on the highly regarded soundtrack to Jack Hill’s 1973 film “Coffy” before moving from jazz-funk to R&B.
His biggest hits include “Running Away” in 1977 and “Don’t Stop the Feeling” in 1979.
In 1994, Ayers appeared on the Red Hot Organization’s album “Stolen Moments. Red Hot + Cool”, an album meant to raise awareness and support those suffering from the AIDS epidemic.
Roy Ayers is an artist known for his diverse talents and career, becoming a respected musician in Jazz, R&B and Hip Hop. But what really makes Ayers a special kind of musician is his everlasting positivity which reflects in his music made up of “feel good” sounds and ranging in style from funk to salsa to soul and rap.
Don’t miss out on seeing the Godfather of Neo-Soul this April!
Who: Roy Ayers
When: 11 & 12 April 2017 @ 7 pm.
Where: The Basement, Sydney
Find out more and get your tickets HERE.