Ray Appleton | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | "Killer" Ray Appleton |
| Born | Otis Ray Appleton August 23, 1941 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | October 7, 2015 (aged 74) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Instruments | Drums |
Otis Ray Appleton (August 23, 1941 – October 7, 2015) was an American jazz drummer.
Early life
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
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
Appleton died of congestive heart failure on October 7, 2015, at age 74.3
Discography
As leader
- Killer Ray Rides Again (Sharp Nine, 1996)4
As sideman
With David Hazeltine
With Freddie Hubbard
- Backlash (1967)
With Jimmy Witherspoon
- The Blues Is Now (1967)
References
References
- 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.
- Killer Ray Rides Again at AllMusic. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- Four Flights Up at AllMusic. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. pp. 677–678. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.