At 74, Roy Ayers still on top when fusing jazz, funk and soul vibrations

The backing band was complemented by a couple of brothers, namely Larry Peoples on drums and Jamal Peoples on keyboards. Bassman Donald Nicks served as the sticky glue that kept the funky-jazz fusion on-point throughout the 90-minute long set on this cold Feb. 8 Sunday evening.

Though a guitarist, percussionist and female vocalist were sorely missing, only longtime Roy Ayers fans would recognize the difference.

Meanwhile lead singer John Pressley, a Sumter, South Carolina native and 18-year member of the Ayers Association, served in several vital roles in addition to his talents as a fine vocalist. He also served well in his role as “hype man” and ability to introduce “the legendary often intimidated never duplicated” band leader. Pressley is also the group’s road manager.

At 74, it’s Ayers extraordinary talents as a bandleader, and effervescent funky energy that keeps fans continuously returning to his Blues Alley performances. The Los Angeles native has worked this famous jazz club for several consecutive years, and always draws sold-out performances, according to club personnel.

He attributes his ability to select “fine musicians” to one of his mentors, the late, great Miles Dewey Davis. “Miles always kept great young musicians,” said Ayers. Past Ayers musicians include a couple of Pittsburgh area talents, the late John “Squirrell” Mosely (trumpet) and keyboardist Rex Rideout, now a Motown producer and executive.  Ayers also cited keyboardist Philip Woo (formerly of MAZE & Frankie Beverly), and the late drummer Ricky “Remo” Lawson, who later worked with Quincy Jones, Brothers Johnson, Yellow Jackets and Michael Jackson.

Ayers also fondly recalled past shows at Slippery Rock University in 1976, and performances at The Pyramid nightclub in East Liberty. He said he plans to return to the Burgh this summer for outdoor shows at Highland Park, where he’s a perennial crowd-pleaser.

Meanwhile, the Ayers show continues to be a stellar attraction not only in the DMV, but internationally. After playing the Take 5 jazz room in Cleveland on Feb. 15, the group set sails for a two-week stay in Australia and Hong Kong.

Michelle Bailey, a Nashville native and current DC resident, said she and AKA sorority sister Beverly Fields, perennially visit Ayers’ Blues Alley performances. “There’s something about this club. The history, and to witness such a legend here – well, it’s fitting,” said Ms. Bailey, a statistical analyst with Black Entertainment Television and a Spelman College grad.

Ms. Fields, a self-described “70s Baby,” grew up listening to Ayers’ music on WHUR-FM. She also recalls watching Ayers and Ubiquity play outdoor shows at Fort Dupont Park in Southeast DC and at the Carter T. Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park. “We loved his music while in college,” said the Howard University graduate. She now works for the DC medical examiner’s office.

“I asked him to play ‘Liquid Love’ last year, and as promised he played it for us this year.  He’s really a special man – so down to earth, so real,” said Ms Fields, who studied classical piano but also loves Erykah Badu, Chuck Brown Go-Go and A Tribe Called Quest-related hip hop.

The Ayers set-list included the following songs:

Everybody Loves The Sunshine; Red, Black & Green (the anthem); Running Away (Scooby-Doo); Give It To Me Baby (Rick James cover); You Send Me (Sam Cooke cover), Liquid Love, Evolution and Can’t You Feel Me.

As a vibraphonist, Ayers is the last of a generation of musicians who have mastered this challenging instrument, which requires the poly-rhythmic talents of a percussionist, in conjunction with the melodic awareness of a keyboardist. At age 5, he received his first vibe mallets fro jazz legend Lionel Hampton, and was neighbors with Bobby Hutcherson. He later befriended Milt “Bags” Jackson of the Modern Jazz Quartet. Gary Burton and Cal Tjader are two other famed jazz vibists.