Hilton Ruiz
Pianist
Bebop and Afro-Cuban jazz artist whose premature death eluded a developing legacy of quality collaborations and innovative solo work.
He performed at Carnegie Hall when he was just eight.
He injured himself during a fall on Bourbon Street in New Orleans and never recovered from his coma.
His family nurtured his talents, beginning his piano lessons when he was eight.
He became Roland Kirk's primary pianist in 1974 and continued with that gig until 1977.