Otis Ray Appleton (August 23, 1941 – October 7, 2015) was an American jazz drummer.

Ray Appleton
Birth nameOtis Ray Appleton
Also known as"Killer" Ray Appleton
BornAugust 23, 1941
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
DiedOctober 7, 2015 (aged 74)
GenresJazz
InstrumentsDrums

Early life

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Born 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

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Appleton 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

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Appleton died of congestive heart failure on October 7, 2015, at age 74.[3]

Discography

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With Jimmy Witherspoon
With Freddie Hubbard

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Long, Kyle (14 October 2015). "Remembering Killer Ray | A Cultural Manifesto | NUVO News | Indianapolis, IN". Nuvo.net. Retrieved 2015-10-17.
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