The recordings of vibraphonist Roy Ayers are part of the foundation of contemporary R&B and hip-hop; Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and many others have sampled his work.

Roy Ayers, the legendary vibraphonist, record producer and composer behind hits like "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" and "No Stranger to Love," has died. He was 84. Ayers, nicknamed the "Godfather of Neo Soul," died on Tuesday, March 4 in New York City after a long illness, according to a statement published on his official Facebook account.