Otis Ray Appleton (August 23, 1941 – October 7, 2015) was an American jazz drummer.
Ray Appleton | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Otis Ray Appleton |
| Also known as | "Killer" Ray Appleton |
| Born | August 23, 1941 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | October 7, 2015 (aged 74) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Instruments | Drums |
Early life
editBorn in Indianapolis, Indiana, his interest in drums began when visiting the local fire department to hear their "Drum and Bugle Corps" practice. He played in school bands, but hearing Freddie Hubbard and James Spaulding led to a serious interest in jazz.
Career
editAppleton toured and recorded with John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, Wes Montgomery and others. Due to a car accident and diabetes, he lost part of his left leg in 1997.[1] He reportedly received his nickname "killer" from bassist Larry Ridley and became a person of note in Indianapolis's jazz community.[2]
Personal life
editAppleton died of congestive heart failure on October 7, 2015, at age 74.[3]
Discography
edit- With Jimmy Witherspoon
- The Blues Is Now (1967)
- With Freddie Hubbard
- Backlash (1967)
References
edit- ^ Murph, John. "Jazz Departments: "KiIler" Ray Appleton: Once Upon a Time in the Midwest - By John Murph — Jazz Articles". Jazztimes.com. Retrieved 2015-10-17.
- ^ David Leander Williams (2014). Indianapolis Jazz: The Masters, Legends and Legacy of Indiana Avenue. The History Press. pp. 145–146. ISBN 978-1-62619-403-8.
- ^ Long, Kyle (14 October 2015). "Remembering Killer Ray | A Cultural Manifesto | NUVO News | Indianapolis, IN". Nuvo.net. Retrieved 2015-10-17.
External links
edit