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| Hilton Ruiz Passes  Hilton Ruiz, famous Latin jazz pianist and composer, passed away Tuesday June 6, 2006 at the East Jefferson General Hospital, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Hilton Ruiz had been in a coma at the New Orleans hospital Intensive Care Unit with severe trauma to the face and a fractured skull. The circumstances surrounding this tragic incident are under investigation by the New Orleans Police Department. In the meanwhile, Ruiz family and friends will celebrate his life and music in a special, after-work benefit jam session will be held in Hilton Ruiz honor to assist the family with the medical and now funeral expenses.Confirmed guest performers include Zon del Barrio joined by saxophonist Ivan Renta & vocalist Frankie Vasquez; Chembo Corniel and Chaworo and Willie Martinez & La Familia Sextet. Hilton Ruiz music and videos will be playing. Other confirmed guest artists include the following: Luisito Quintero * Andrea Brachfeld * Robert Glasper, * Annette Aguilar * Andy Gonzalez * Grady Tate * Papo Vasquez * Craig Harris * Grady Tate * Pete Nader * Sweet Sue Terry * Mark Whitfield * Avery Sharpe * Terry Burrus * Ben Lapidus * Bobby Sanabria * Dario Boente * Bill Sims, Jr. * Ray Mantilla * Chaney Sims * Norman Hedman * Gary Bartz * Poet Papoleto "This is a very sad day for Latin and jazz music" said promoter Eddie Rodriguez. The question remains, how did something like this happen to an Internationally known jazz artist in the City where Jazz was born? Born in New York City on May 29, 1952, Ruiz was a child prodigy, appearing on the Sandy Becker television show, performing at Carnegie Recital Hall at the age of eight, and playing in an accordion symphony at nine. Well-trained in all areas, he studied classical piano as well as Latin and received jazz guidance from the great Mary Lou Williams. "I was pretty lucky, " he says, "in being exposed to a lot of different kinds of music, and studying them with good teachers." By his early teens, Ruiz was working with a variety of Latin soul bands and, at age 14, recorded with a group called Ray Jay and the East Siders. But jazz was always close to his heart, and his obviously superlative improvisational skills quickly opened doors. Before he was twenty, Ruiz had worked with Frank Foster, Joe Newman, Cal Massey, Freddie Hubbard and Joe Hendersonan impressive list for an established player, a remarkable list for a relative newcomer. Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Freddie Hubbard, Tito Puente, Clark Terry, Ismael Rivera, Mongo Santamaria, George Coleman and so many others. He was a Student of the Great Jazz Master, Mary Lou Williams. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |