Roy Ayers is touring for the last time in 2023

News flash! Jazz is not dying. Funk is not either. In a world full of Ryan Gosling wannabes who want to pretend to have inner world, be a Roy Ayers fan.

Roy Edward Ayers, Jr. was born in Los Angeles, California on September 10, 1940. Roy grew up surrounded by music, marinated in talent. His parents were both at least part time musicians (a pianist schoolteacher and a part time trombonist, respectively). He conquered the piano early on and extended his empire towards the trumpet and the drums before owning his instrument of choice, the vibraphone. In the 1960’s, Roy was an award-winning jazz vibraphonist but soon moved into the R&B in the 1970’s and 80’s. Today, the dynamic music man is an iconic figure still in great demand. He is a force of nature, a key figure in the acid jazz movement and at one time, he was said to have more sampled hits by rappers than any other artist (rightfully so). When Roy Ayers is discovered by any music lover it is easy to fall into the abyss of his catalogue. The Ubiquity albums are definitely the best place to start. Especially Red, Black, & Green which is arguably the most consistent throughout. The jazz instrumentation and the atmosphere will begin to sound recognizable almost immediately.

Most non jazz music listeners find Roy Ayers music from his songs that have been sampled, such as Everybody Loves The Sunshine or We Live In Brooklyn. Is hard to feel tired of listening to his artistry. We Live In Brooklyn Baby, Time And Space, He’s A Superstar (even for the non-religious!), Love Will Bring Us Back Together, Evolution... just so many stone cold classics everywhere. Listen to Kwajilori if you’re looking for a more up-tempo, funky beat.

What a Mystic Voyage. Lots Of Love, In The Dark.

An artist so good, that it will take you somewhere. Cheeba between lips, looking at the beautiful sunset of the San Leandro hills back when that Rasputin was still in business.

Memories of places and times that we will never live. One of the last opportunities to see Roy Ayers live, not only in this particular tour, but for good. Roy Ayers is sadly saying farewell to the stage lights and the bunk beds in buses and he does it using Cross The Tracks as one of the last platforms to enjoy this absolute behemoth live.

Enjoy Roy Ayers one last time, live, in the heart of south London.

Get tickets here