How many children did Roy Ayers have ? All about the family of Godfather of Neo Soul as he dies at 84

Roy Ayers, the vibraphonist and composer called the "Godfather of Neo Soul," died on March 4, 2025, in New York City at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness. His musical legacy is profound, with an influence that stretches from jazz-funk to hip-hop.

Ayers married Argerie in the early 1970s. They had three children together: Mtume, Ayana, and a third child whose name is not well publicized. Ayana Ayers has played an active role in her father's career, overseeing his affairs in recent years.

In addition to his children with Argerie, Roy Ayers had a son, Nabil Ayers, from a previous relationship with Louise Braufman. Nabil, born in 1971, was raised solely by his mother.

Nabil has enjoyed a successful career in the music industry. He is now the president of Beggars Group USA and wrote the memoir My Life in the Sunshine, which examines his identity and connection to his father.

Nabil Ayers reportedly did not grow up wanting a father figure:

"I still don’t really identify as any race. There’s my mother who raised me and my father who was really just DNA, and there’s all the people who helped raise me."

A look into Roy Ayers' legacy in the music industry

Born on September 10, 1940, in Los Angeles, Roy Ayers was born to a life in music. According to BEE Music, his early exposure to different instruments and a vital childhood moment with the vibraphonist Lionel Hampton inspired him to take up the vibes. Ayers' first group was formed while he was still in high school.

His big break was in the 1960s after he recorded West Coast Vibes. Another significant turning point came with his involvement with jazz flutist Herbie Mann.

In the 1970s, Ayers signed to Polydor Records and founded Ubiquity, pushing forward an early blend of jazz, funk, R&B and soul. His famous works included the genre-defining album Everybody Loves the Sunshine (1976) and his Coffy (1973) soundtrack.

Roy Ayers's music spanned generations, influencing the neo-soul movement and being heavily sampled by hip-hop artists such as Mary J. Blige, Common, Tyler, the Creator, and Kanye West.