[Dixielandjazz] Hilton Ruiz

[Ed Danielson]

Tom and Steve -- thanks for mentioning the passing of Hilton Ruiz (and Billy 
Preston, too).  Hilton was a good friend to the program director and music 
director of the radio station I work at, Denver's KUVO, and I can attest to 
the fact that he was one of the most well-rounded jazz players I've ever 
heard.  He worked with Roland Kirk, and Kirk's appreciation of Waller, James 
P., Bechet, Bigard and Byas, among others, rubbed off on Hilton, too.

Hilton's recent CD "Steppin' with T. P." (a tribute to Tito Puente, not to 
the familiar paper product) is well worth seeking out (it was very poorly 
distributed) for the cooking version of "Jumpin' with Symphony Sid" alone.

I'm convinced that there's more to the story of Hilton's death than has been 
reported.  No way did he pull a Don Murray ("premature death from head 
injuries apparently caused by his falling against a parked car in a drunken 
stupor" -- AllMusic Guide).  Watch the news.


Ed Danielson