Hilton Ruiz

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.

Hilton Ruiz
Hilton Ruiz in November 1976
Background information
Born(1952-05-29)May 29, 1952
New York City
DiedJune 6, 2006(2006-06-06) (aged 54)
New Orleans
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsPiano
Years active1960–2006
Associated actsRoland Kirk, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria

Biography

Born in New York City, Ruiz began playing piano at the age of five after being inspired by Duke Ellington.[1] At the age of eight he performed Mozart at Carnegie Hall.[2]

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 a music instruction book, Jazz and How to Play It.[3] He appeared on the soundtrack to Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors.[4]

On May 19, 2006, Ruiz was found unconscious on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where he had gone to shoot a video to promote a recently recorded project with M27 Records benefiting the victims of Hurricane 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[5] and died without regaining consciousness a week after his 54th birthday. Ruiz was a resident of Teaneck, New Jersey.[4]

He was buried at Saint Raymond's Cemetery in New York City.

Discography

As leader
  • 1975 Piano Man (SteepleChase)
  • 1977 Excition (SteepleChase)
  • 1977 New York Hilton (SteepleChase)
  • 1977 Steppin' Into Beauty (SteepleChase) released 1982
  • 1981 Live at Jazz Unitè (Jazz Unite)
  • 1984 Cross Currents (Vintage Jazz)
  • 1988 El Camino (The Road) (Novus)
  • 1989 Strut (Novus)
  • 1989 Doin' It Right (Novus)
  • 1991 A Moment's Notice (Novus)
  • 1992 Manhattan Mambo (Telarc)
  • 1992 Live at Birdland (Candid)
  • 1993 Heroes (Telarc)
  • 1995 Hands on Percussion (TropiJazz/RMM)
  • 1997 Island Eyes (TropiJazz/RMM)
  • 1998 Rhythm in the House (TropiJazz/RMM)
  • 2003 Hilton Ruiz Songbook (Hilton Ruiz Music)
  • 2003 Enchantment (Arabesque)
  • 2004 A New York Story Hilton Ruiz Music
  • 2005 Steppin' with T.P.- dedicated to Tito Puente M27 Records

As sideman

With Paquito D'Rivera

  • Paquito Blowin (1981)

With Greg Abate

  • Horace is Here: A Tribute to Horace Silver (2004)

With Afro Blue Band

  • Impressions (1995)

With George Coleman

With Art Davis

  • Reemergence (1980)

With Chico Freeman

With Dizzy Gillespie

With Rahsaan Roland Kirk

With Abbey Lincoln

  • Golden Lady (1980)

With Tisziji Munoz

  • Presence of Truth (1999)

References
  1. Lloyd, Robin. "The sad and mysterious death of Hilton Ruiz". Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  2. Lloyd, Robin (8 November 2012). "The sad and mysterious death of Hilton Ruiz". KPLU. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  3. "Bradley's Jazz and How to Play It, Book 1: : Hilton Ruiz". www.alfred.com. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  4. Keepnews, Peter (7 June 2006). "Hilton Ruiz, 54, Pianist Fluent in Jazz and Latin Rhythms, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  5. World Music Central News Department (24 May 2006). "Latin Jazz Pianist Hilton Ruiz in a Coma | World Music Central.org". World Music Central.
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