“My Life in the Sunshine” author talks race, music and family 

Following the release of his book “My Life in the Sunshine”, musician, writer and record company executive Nabil Ayers came to speak at the University of Idaho on Jan. 27 at the Forge Theater. The event was hosted by the Lionel Hampton School of Music and the Africana Studies program, and featured Ayers who discussed his life and career as a mixed-race musician. 

Ayers is the son of Roy Ayers, a soul and jazz vibraphonist who received his first set of mallets from Lionel Hampton himself. Despite following in the steps of his father and pursuing music, Ayers was raised by a single mother without knowing his famous father. As he told the story of his childhood, Ayers described the challenges of growing up mixed-race, especially as someone trying to be a musician. 

He realized he wanted to be in a band at a young age, but he felt a disconnect between himself and the famous musicians he loved. 

“Growing up, I was having trouble identifying with the people I saw on record covers,” Ayers said. 

After spending most of his childhood in the projects of Amherst, Massachusetts, his mother decided to move them to Salt Lake City, Utah which presented a major culture shock for Ayers. He described the move to Utah as the first time he really saw himself as different, often feeling like an outcast because of his race and family. 

“I discovered I could use music as a way to connect with people, talking about music helped me fit in and not feel so different from the other kids,” Ayers said. 

After graduating high school, Ayers attended the University of Puget Sound and became heavily involved in Seattle’s music scene and DJing at his college radio station.. Once out of college, he spent many years touring with bands like The Lemons and Alien Crime Syndicate as their drummer.  Eventually he became a record company executive for the label 4AD, but after his lengthy career, he finally decided in his mid-thirties that it was time to reach out and try to connect with his father. 

Ayers felt an amazing connection upon meeting with his father for the first time, however, his father’s disinterest in getting to know him further led the budding relationship to fizzle out quickly.  

Nonetheless, this meeting did spark a curiosity in Ayers to learn more about the other side of his family, a side of himself he had never explored before. He began researching his ancestry and reaching out to any family members he could find, eventually even meeting with the descendent of the slaveholder who owned his ancestor, which he described as an eye-opening experience.  

“The search was not to know my dad better, but to discover myself,” Ayers said. “I was searching for my culture and trying to fill a blank space.” 

His book, “My Life in the Sunshine” is a memoir that discusses his childhood living in the shadow of his famous father, his experiences raised by a hardworking single mother and how his race affected his career and life.  

When reflecting on his childhood and what led him to where he is today, Ayers said, “Everything in my life was white, I wished I had had the opportunity to live and experience both sides.” 

This discussion brought a poignant reminder of the realities of growing up mixed race and was also a celebration of one man’s success in the music industry, which brings a great start to Black History Month at UI. 

There are many ways to celebrate Black History Month on campus this February. From the African American Read-in on Feb. 15 to the Black Lives Matter Speaker series Feb.16 and a Straighten Your Crown mental health night on Feb. 8. More information about events and opportunities can be found online. 

Grace Giger can be reached at [email protected]