Ray Appleton

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

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. He reportedly received his nickname "killer" from bassist Larry Ridley and became a person of note in Indianapolis's jazz community.[1] He 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.[2]

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

Discography
With Jimmy Witherspoon
With Freddie Hubbard

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


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