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 jazz-funk vibraphonist known for Everybody Loves the Sunshine and sampled ’round the music world, has died. He was 84. Ayers died Tuesday in New York after a long illness, his family announced in a statement, describing him as “highly influential and sought after as a music collaborator.”