Hilton Ruiz | |
|---|---|
 Hilton Ruiz in November 1976 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1952-05-29)May 29, 1952 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | June 6, 2006(2006-06-06) (aged 54) New Orleans, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Years active | 1960–2006 |
Hilton Ruiz (May 29, 1952 – June 6, 2006) was an Americanjazz pianist in theAfro-Cuban jazz mold, but was also a talentedbebop player. He was of Puerto Rican descent.
Born in New York City, Ruiz began playing piano at the age of five after being inspired byDuke Ellington.[1] At the age of eight he performed Mozart atCarnegie Hall.[2]
In high school Ruiz studied jazz piano withMary Lou Williams.[3] In 1973 he was a sideman forRoland Kirk, then later forClark Terry.[3] He also worked withBetty Carter,Tito Puente, andMongo Santamaría. He co-wrote a music instruction book,Jazz and How to Play It.[4] He appeared on the soundtrack to Woody Allen'sCrimes and Misdemeanors.[5]
On May 19, 2006, Ruiz was found unconscious onBourbon Street inNew Orleans, where he had gone to shoot a video to promote a recently recorded project with M27 Records benefiting the victims ofHurricane Katrina entitled "Goin' Back to New Orleans". The police filed a report that he had injured himself in an accidental fall. Ruiz was hospitalized in a coma[6] and died without regaining consciousness a week after his 54th birthday. Ruiz was a resident ofTeaneck, New Jersey.[5]
He was buried atSaint Raymond's Cemetery in New York City.
WithMarion Brown
WithPaquito D'Rivera
WithGreg Abate
WithAfro Blue Band
WithGeorge Coleman
WithArt Davis
WithChico Freeman
WithDizzy Gillespie
WithAbbey Lincoln
WithTisziji Munoz
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