Quotes by Roy Ayers

About Roy Ayers:

Roy Ayers is an American funk, soul, and jazz composer and vibraphone player. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure at Polydor Records beginning in the 1970s, during which he helped pioneer jazz-funk. He is a key figure in the acid jazz movement, which is a mixture of jazz into hip-hop and funk, and has been dubbed by many as "The Godfather of Neo Soul". He is most well known for his signature compositions "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" and "Searchin". and is also famous for having more sampled hits by rappers than any other artist.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

DJs and people in the street know what they like.

Roy Ayers

I always had this energy level that made me want to come to New York.

Roy Ayers

I couldn't get my album played over the so-called smooth jazz stations. Jazz stations would not play it. You don't always know who you're making that soul connection with.

Roy Ayers

I don't like rap that you can't understand. The youth is so quick and alert.

Roy Ayers

I generally sell my records online or at the show. You can undersell the distributor and the stores, and people know what they're getting cause they've just seen you live.

Roy Ayers

I was with PolyGram; that was the big label that I was with for the longest, like 12 years.

Roy Ayers

It's a wonderful feeling just being in this creative motif.

Roy Ayers

Most musicians count at the beginning, and never count and talk to their musicians after that. They only talk to them at the end of the song. But I would count with them and talk.

Roy Ayers

Now I get exposure first with people directly in the clubs. This is a unique situation for me.

Roy Ayers

Only a certain number of people go to a store over the period of a year. When a person sees my record on the shelf, it eliminates someone else's record from being sold. It's about continuing to try to find new ways to sell records.

Roy Ayers

Soul has no musical geographical or racial boundaries.

Roy Ayers

The majors, they have to control the distribution, the record outlets, the radio and, in some cases, even the venues. And downloading and pirating have also put pressure on the majors.

Roy Ayers

When I was recording from '70 to '82, I always played piano and laid the tracks down. But I used to talk to the other musicians while the track was playing.

Roy Ayers

You grow and learn a lot about the industry and what happens behind closed doors over the years.

Roy Ayers

The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.

Roy Ayers

I'm celebrating my 40th year in show business this year.

Roy Ayers

I've been sampled so much and I'm glad it's happened, it's a great compliment.

Roy Ayers

Having good health, being able to breathe and be happy, that's one of the most beautiful gifts. On top of that, I have the gift to play music and make people happy through that. I'm just telling you from my heart, I'm so in love with life.

Roy Ayers

I still look good. I'm trippin', but people tell me that all the time. So check it out, I'm 63, and still kicking. I've been putting records out every year.

Roy Ayers

I'd definitely love to play in Nashville again. That would be really good.

Roy Ayers

Author Bio

  • NameRoy Ayers
  • DescriptionAmerican musician
  • BornSeptember 10, 1940
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionSinger-songwriter; Jazz Musician