Hilton Ruiz
| Hilton Ruiz | |
|---|---|
Hilton Ruiz in November 1976
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born |
May 29, 1952 New York City |
| Died | June 6, 2006 New Orleans |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1960–2006 |
| Associated acts | Roland Kirk, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria |
Hilton Ruiz (May 29, 1952 – June 6, 2006) was an American jazz pianist in the Afro-Cuban jazz mold, but was also a talented bebop player. He was of Puerto Rican descent.
Born in New York City, Ruiz began playing piano at the age of five. At the age of eight he performed at Carnegie Hall.
In high school Ruiz studied jazz piano with Mary Lou Williams. In 1973 he was a sideman for Roland Kirk, then later for Clark Terry. He also worked with Betty Carter, Tito Puente, and Mongo Santamaría. He co-wrote an music instruction book, Jazz and How to Play It. He appeared on the soundtrack to Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors.
On May 19, 2006, Ruiz was found unconscious on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where he had gone to promote a CD benefiting the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The police filed a report that he had injured himself in an accidental fall. Ruiz was hospitalized in a coma and died without regaining consciousness a week after his 54th birthday. Ruiz was a resident of Teaneck, New Jersey.
He was buried at Saint Raymond's Cemetery in New York City.
With Greg Abate
With Afro Blue Band
With George Coleman
With Art Davis
With Chico Freeman
With Dizzy Gillespie
With Rahsaan Roland Kirk
...
Wikipedia