Roy Ayers, the iconic American vibraphonist, composer, and trailblazer of jazz-funk, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 84, his family confirmed.

The legendary producer died in New York City following a prolonged illness, according to a statement shared by his family on Facebook. The exact cause of death was not immediately revealed.

“Roy lived a beautiful 84 years and will be deeply missed,” the family’s statement read.

Widely celebrated as the “Godfather of Neo-Soul,” Ayers left an indelible mark on the music industry over a career spanning more than four decades. He is perhaps best remembered for his timeless 1976 classic, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” released with his band, Roy Ayers Ubiquity.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Ayers’ musical talent emerged early. His mother, Ruby Ayers, taught piano, while his father, Roy Sr., was a trombone player — nurturing a love for music in their son.

According to his official biography, Ayers showed remarkable musical instincts by the age of five, already playing boogie-woogie tunes on the piano. By nine, he was experimenting with the steel guitar, eventually exploring the flute, trumpet, and drums throughout his teens before finally falling in love with the vibraphone — the instrument that would define his sound.

By the 1960s, Ayers had firmly established himself as a versatile and accomplished musician, including frequent collaborations with groove pioneer Herbie Mann, further cementing his place in music history.

Ayers redefined the possibilities of the vibraphone — a shimmering percussion instrument similar to the marimba and xylophone — by steering away from the fast-paced jazz style made famous by Lionel Hampton. In Ayers’ hands, the vibraphone became a gateway to ethereal, exploratory sounds, blending elements of soul, funk, and jazz into something entirely his own.

“There was no sheet music, no formal arrangements,” recalled Philip Woo, who played keyboards on “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” in a 2017 interview with The Guardian. “He worked off a single chord, shifting it intuitively across the song.”

Even in recent years, Ayers remained relevant, collaborating with modern hip-hop giants like Kanye West and influencing a new generation of artists. His creative reach extended beyond music, too — in 1973, he composed the soundtrack for “Coffy,” the cult-classic blaxploitation film that launched Pam Grier into stardom.

“Everybody Loves the Sunshine” remains Ayers’ signature masterpiece, amassing over 130 million streams on Spotify. The song has been sampled, reimagined, and covered by artists such as Mary J. Blige and Tupac Shakur, ensuring its timeless appeal.

Rolling Stone once praised Ayers’ unmistakable sound, describing it as a seamless blend of “lush soul, fluid jazz, and infectious funk.”

His family has asked for privacy as they mourn, adding that a public celebration of Ayers’ life and legacy will be announced soon.