Rob Ayers has died; his song is the soundtrack to Luis’s stories in Ant-Man.
Ayers, who passed away at 84, pioneered jazz-funk in the 1970s. His most well-known song, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine, ” best represents his upbeat groove and messages. Despite never making it onto the pop charts, his groundbreaking fusion of genres gained popularity over time, influencing everything from hip-hop to acid jazz.
His song “Escape” is best known to genre fans as the soundtrack to Luis’ (Michael Peña) long rambling stories. Watch the clip from Ant-Man below:
It was also featured after he’s given Truth Serum by Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins) in Ant-Man and the Wasp.
The intricate percussion and confusing horn arrangements of “Escape” perfectly match his rambling style.
In 1973, Ayers composed the soundtrack for the blaxploitation film Coffy, starring Pam Grier; the track “Escape” later resurfaced in her Quentin Tarantino-directed comeback, Jackie Brown (1997). That same year, Ayers appeared on screen in the sci-fi film Idaho Transfer, directed by Peter Fonda.
Hip-hop artists like Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre, and A Tribe Called Quest frequently sampled Ayers’ music. He collaborated with Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys, Mos Def, and the James Taylor Quartet. Ayers also had an impact on producer Pharrell Williams. He frequently performed at Ronnie Scott’s in London and appeared at the Glastonbury Festival in 2019.
Roy Ayers is survived by his wife, Argerie, their two children, and a son from another relationship.
