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| Profile | THE ATLANTIC YEARS | The Birth Of Ubiquity | Roy Ayers Music Productions | The Atlantic Years
Brought up from within a musical background, his father Roy Ayers Snr, was a trombonist in a local jazz combo. His mother was a piano teacher in a local school and did not have to encourage the young Roy Ayers, as he showed all the hallmarks for potential for greatness as a musician whilst growing up. His first musical excursion was as a guitarist which he continued during several years at high school. He later took up the piano receiving private lessons from Mrs Alma Hightower, a distinguished music teacher whose students included the great Vi Redd. Roy became interested in the vibraphone after listening to Milt Jackson and Cal Tjader and an inspirational part of his life came about when his parents took him to see one of the great vibraphonists, Lionel Hampton in concert at the age of five.
Although he had no formal tuition, he was dedicated and practiced intensively. His first gig as a vibraphonist was at the Black Orchid club in Los Angeles, since then, he has worked at just about every jazz club in the area from the Renaissance, The It Club to Shelly's Manne Hole. During this period he worked with some of the most influential musicians within jazz music history including Teddy Edwards, Leroy Vinnegar and Phineas Newborn. Roy Ayers had firmly established himself among his fellow musicians as one of the most gifted and fastest rising young vibraharp soloists. Roy's debut as a recording combo leader was a direct consequence of his impressive performance as a member of Vi Redd's group on the United Artists albums entitled "Bird Call" released in 1961, and also appeared at the Las Vegas Jazz Festival in 1962. His debut album also released by United Artists in 1963 entitled "West Coast Vibes" featured Curtis Amy and Jack Wilson, both musicians closely identified with the current modern jazz scene around Los Angeles. During 1965-66 he toured and recorded as a member of the Jack Wilson Quartet, at this particular time one of the happening producers at the time, Herbie Mann took him under his wing, and a new recording contract was secured with the Atlantic label. Three albums were released under the production of Mann, and Roy's popularity soared, and a whole new audience were starting to develop. He cites Herbie Mann as one of the major milestones of hie career as he opened up a whole new dimension to express his unique talent.
| Profile | THE ATLANTIC YEARS | The Birth Of Ubiquity | Roy Ayers Music Productions |
www.royayerszone.co.uk 2000
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After
the performance Lionel did his customary stroll up and down the aisles
thanking everyone for attending, when he noticed a very excited little
boy, he approached him and gave him a pair of vibraphone mallets. From
that day forth Roy never looked back (even Lionel himself still remembers
that night with great affection!!) 
