He has composed and recorded a diverse selection of minimalist albums, incorporating spatial soundscapes and psychoacoustics and latterly 5.1 and True 3D Surround in the 'Wall of Waves' Studio.
Ayres also made solo contributions and arrangements to bands and artists throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, including members of Culture Club, Simply Red and Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
"[7] In addition to his work with musicians, Ayres also collaborates with visual artists on audio/visual installations, which have been exhibited in international galleries and art houses.
[8][9] In 2000, the prestigious ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) in London commissioned him and film maker Pete Gomes to compose and produce their first ever DVD exhibition.
[15][16] In 2012 Marvin Ayres embarked on Sacred Spaces, a series of conceptual installations and recordings in incongruous spaces- an evolving project.
Ayres subsequently produced and performed two tracks (Melinda and Elfin Boy) on the 2008 Curved Air album Reborn.
In 2010 Ayres produced and played cello on an instrumental album, Ovunque by guitarist Franccesco Fiotti[22] In 2011, contributing to the Sex, Drugs and H.I.V project – a double album & film of 40 songs written by Mat Sargent collaborating with over 200 different musicians from name bands, Ayres created and played string arrangements and cello and violin solo parts on tracks performed by Adam Ant, Angie Bowie, Jimmy Pursey and Sonja Kristina.
Ayres also played a live set at The National Portrait Gallery – as part of the event 'Reanimate Late Shift extra' .