In 1971, a white, Jewish, former ballerina chose to have a child with the famous Black jazz musician Roy Ayers, fully expecting and agreeing to his absenteeism. Like Roy, Nabil became deeply involved in the music industry, first as a musician, and currently as the President of Beggars Group USA. The title of Nabil’s memoir MY LIFE IN THE SUNSHINE is a homage to the opening lyric from his father’s 1976 song, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” which has always followed Nabil as both a painful and hopeful reminder of his connection to his father, reflecting the passion and ambition that they share as well as the close relationship that they don’t. The book puts into words Nabil’s journey to build an identity of his own despite his father’s absence. Nabil Ayers is the President of Beggars Group US, where he has run campaigns for The National, Big Thief, Grimes, Future Islands, and St. Vincent as well as reissue campaigns including Pixies’ album Doolittle which was certified Platinum in 2019.
At age 25, Ayers and his business partner opened Seattle’s Sonic Boom Records store, which they sold to a longtime customer in 2016. As a drummer Ayers has performed in several bands including The Long Winters and Tommy Stinson. On his own record label, The Control Group/Valley of Search, Ayers has released music by Cate Le Bon, Lykke Li, The Killers, PJ Harvey, and his uncle, the jazz musician Alan Braufman.
Join us in this talk and conversation where you will learn about the music industry, race, and family. Q&A and mixer to follow.