He completed his musical studies with honours at 14 years of age, and later went on the specialize in Paris, Siena and Rome. He was one of the founders of the famous Ensemble "I Musici", as well as performing as their first violin soloist for sixteen years. In 1970 he formed the "Quartetto Beethoven di Roma", which is considered to be one of the best string and piano quartets in existence.

He has played in the most important theatres of the world: Carnegie Hall, Filarmonica of Berlino, Teatro Colòn, Musikverein, Teatro Réal, La Scala, Sydney Opera House, Concertgebouw, Accademia di Santa Cecilia, etc.

As a soloist he has played with a number of important symphony orchestras, including those of Madrid, Copenhagen, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, and with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Berlin Kammerorchester, the Tokyo String Ensemble, the "Virtuosi di Roma", etc. As well as his teaching activity at the specialization courses held at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Ayo also holds Master classes in Canada, Australia, the USA, Denmark, Japan, Italy, Spain and Germany, as well as frequently forming part of the jury for international music competitions.

His recordings have achieved world-wide fame, winning many prizes including the "Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik", the "Edison" prize, the "Mar del Plata" prize, the "Grand Prix du Disque" (for his now historic version of Vivaldi’s Quattro Stagioni) and the prize awarded by Italian Record Critics for the Beethoven Piano Quartets. His version of Bach’s Violin Sonatas and Suites was considered by international authorities to be one of the most beautiful recordings of these works ever made.

Recent recordings of his include works by Tartini and Viotti and, together with Bruno Canino, both Mendelssohn’s and Turina’s three Sonatas. He plays a G.B. Guadagnini violin made in 1744.