Yesterday morning in New Orleans Latin Jazz musician Hilton Ruiz passed away. The 54 year old pianist had been comatose at East Jefferson General Hospital since May 19 in front of a French Quarter bar. There are conflicting reports as to what exactly went down on the 19th. The official cause of the coma was listed as a fall when Ruiz hit his head outside of a Bourbon Street bar. Family and friends insist that Hilton Ruiz, who had been in New Orleans working on a Hurricane Katrina benefit project, was mugged and severely beaten.
The New York born artist was considered a child prodigy and graced the stage of Carnagie Hall at the young age of 8. Besides recording his own albums, his first at age 14, Ruiz also recorded with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Charles Mingus and Betty Carter.

Via / CBC Arts