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According to a statement from his family, the bandleader passed away after a "prolonged battle" with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other health issues.

The Cuban American musician, bandleader, actor and producer remains most famous for his role as Lucille Ball’s husband and straight man, Ricky Ricardo, in their iconic 1950s television series, “I Love Lucy.”

As a bandleader, Ayers’ albums include 20 studio records, nine collaborative releases and six live ones.

He also played with Billie Holiday at 14, and got taken under the wings of bandleader Count Basie and trumpeter Clark Terry.

On bad nights for the bandleaders and their players, they caught a little sleep on the bus or in the car, scrunched between sweaty orchestra mates.