Drummer Tony Oxley Dead at 85: What Was His Cause of Death?

Famed drummer Tony Oxley has died, multiple news outlets confirmed.

Media outlets and fans mourned after the confirmation of Oxley's death emerged. The musician, 85, reportedly died on Tuesday, December 26, per Ultimate Guitar, but his cause of death remains unknown as of press time.

The World Honors Tony Oxley

Further details regarding his death have yet to be publicized; his family has not released a statement, as well.

On the other hand, his fans and colleagues took their time to express their heartbreak after losing the great musician.

One said, "This is a great sadness. One of the UK's greatest experimental musicians and the rhythmic powerhouse behind its greatest not-bop-derived jazz album. RIP Tony Oxley."

"Very sorry to hear of the passing of the great Tony Oxley - a true individual & pioneer in free-form expression," another wrote. "An early inspiration on me. I'm drawn to revisit him at (to me) his greatest on his own albums and to celebrate him."

A third added, "waking up to the news that Tony Oxley has passed. one of the greatest masters of percussion to ever live. I was lucky enough to see two nights of duos of Oxley with Cecil Taylor many years ago, formative music experiences for me. the rarest mix of creativity and virtuosity. RIP."

Tony Oxley's Legacy Explored

Oxley showed his love for music at a young age, teaching himself how to play the piano. He then switched instruments and began playing the drums when he was 17.

His dedication opened his doors to more opportunities, including the time he led a quartet from 1960 to 1964 and performed in a trio called Joseph Holbrooke.

In 1969, Oxley became part of the "Extrapolation" album by John McLaughlin and released "The Baptised Traveller" with Derek Bailey, Kenny Wheeler, Evan Parker, and Jeff Clyne.

The drummer also dropped "Triangular Screen" alongside Ivar Grydeland and Tonny Kluften in 2000.

Over the decades, Oxley worked closely with award-winning artists for their tracks and albums. His collaborators included Paul Bley, Anthony Braxton, Bill Evans, Michael Gibbs, Tubby Hayes, Didier Levallet, Mark Nauseef, Vangelis and Kenny Wheeler, to name a few.

Oxley's last few albums before his death were "Beaming," "Elaboration of Particulars" , and "Unreleased 1974-2016."