Words & photography by Rachel Bywater
Roy Ayers is introduced to a rapt crowd at Manchester’s Band on The Wall by charismatic backing singer/road manager John Pressley as ‘The man that’s always sampled but never duplicated’.
It’s true that Ayers’ music has been snipped and sampled more than most over the years, by acts such as 50 Cent, A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, Tupac, Puff Daddy & Mary J Blige. But Band on The Wall is a sell out tonight because the crowd want to see the original, uncut version, and they are not disappointed.
The Godfather of Neo-Soul may now be 73 years old but he still cuts a commanding figure on stage. Clad in a suit and sunglasses, poised behind his vibraphone the jazz-funk legend just exudes cool. His vocals are as smooth as ever.
ROCK ON: Ron Ayers proves age is only a number, while touring aged 73
Alongside Pressley, Ayers is accompanied on stage by the other three members of his backing group, Ubiquity. Donald Nicks (Bass), Jamal Peoples (Keyboard) and Troy Miller (Drums) are all consummate musicians and the audience is treated to incredible freestyle solos from each of them over the course of the evening.
The set includes classics such as Searching, Running Away and, of course, Everybody Loves The Sunshine – the opening bars of which are enough to send the crowd into a cheering frenzy.
A testament to their skill as musicians, Ayers and Ubiquity blend each song into the next seamlessly. They all clearly love being on stage and you can see the joy in their faces as they jam together.
In between medleys Ayers chats to the audience about Africa, his memories of Manchester and his philosophy, reminding everyone that ‘Life is just a moment, so enjoy it’.
He shows his playful side as well – We Live in Brooklyn Baby is changed to We Live in Manchester Baby and he also engages the audience in an echo match, creating increasingly ridiculous noises for them to repeat back to him, much to their delight.
It’s all over far too soon and Ayers leave the stage to rapturous applause while Ubiquity keep the party going for a little longer. The audience are hungry for more but, sadly, 73 year olds don’t do encores.
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