Jazzman 'Keter' Betts dead at 77

SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Jazz bassist Peter "Keter" Betts has died at his Silver Spring, Md., home at age 77, it was reported Wednesday.

The cause of Betts' death Saturday was not known, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Betts played on more than 200 recordings with top jazz artists through the years, including guitarist Charlie Byrd and singers Dinah Washington and Ella Fitzgerald.

He also played in bands with Oscar Peterson, Tommy Flanagan, Woody Herman, Nat Adderley, Joe Pass, Clifford Brown and Vince Guaraldi.

The native of Port Chester, N.Y., got his nickname as an infant when a family friend said he was as cute as a mosquito and it became shortened to Skeeter then Keter, the Post said.

Survivors include five children and four grandchildren.