HILTON RUIZ: DOIN' IT RIGHT

HILTON RUIZ
O grande pianista "boricua" HILTON RUIZ iniciou seu caminho profissional pelos caminhos do "straight jazz", tocando com Freddie Hubbard, Joe Newman e Roland Kirk. Depois, como era inevitável, foi cooptado por TITO PUENTE. Tive oportunidade de assistir a um concerto da banda de TP em New York, no qual Hilton Ruiz tomou conta de parte do espetáculo; até hoje me lembro de seu fantástico improviso em "The best is yet to come", tema de harmonia intrincadíssima, que Hilton "tirou de letra". Foi delirantemente aplaudido de pé ao final do solo. HR teve uma morte precoce e inglória em 2006: sofreu uma queda na rua, em New Orleans, bateu com a cabeça na calçada, entrou em coma e não voltou mais. (RIP Señor Ruiz).
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Hilton Ruiz (May 29, 1952 – June 6, 2006) was a Puerto Rican-American jazz pianist in the Afro-Cuban jazz mold, but was also a talented bebop player. Ruiz began playing piano at the age of eight, and gigged with Freddie Hubbard and Joe Newman when he was young. Later, he was Roland Kirk's main pianist from 1974 to 1977, featuring on such records as The Case of the 3 Sided Dream in Audio Color and The Return of the 5000 Lb. Man. Ruiz also recorded several solo albums between the 1980s and 2000s. On May 19, 2006, Ruiz was found unconscious on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Police concluded that Ruiz stumbled and fell and was not attacked. As a result of the accident, Ruiz was in a coma and eventually died at the age of 54. Ruiz was a resident of Teaneck, New Jersey.
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MY OPINION
The late Hilton Ruiz was a brilliant pianist with incredible dexterity and lots of soul. I did see Hilton Ruiz live, with Tito Puente in New York, around 1998. The guy blew the place apart! This album gives a sample of Ruiz's artistry. This album is less latin in flavor, in spite of the presence of two great percussionists: Steve Barrios and Daniel Ponce. Hilton's playing is pure bravado and its a joy to listen to his mastery at the instrument. Very good stuff!
(CB)
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MINHA OPINIÃO - neste álbum o grande HILTON RUIZ, acompanhado por um "time de craques" se dividiu entre "latin" e "straight ahead" jazz. Como era fluente em ambos os "idiomas" o resultado final não poderia deixar de ser excelente, para dizer o mínimo. As minhas faixas preferidas são "Stella by Starlight" e "I didn't know what time it was". Beleza pura!
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HILTON RUIZ: DOIN'IT RIGHT
Label: Novus/RCA PL
Catalog nr. 83085
Recorded 9, 10 and 11, 1989 at Van Gelder Recording Studio, New Jersey.

PERSONNEL
Hilton Ruiz - piano
Jimmy Rowser - Bass
Ruben Rodriguez - Electric Bass ("Doin' It Right)
Steve Barrios - Drums, Timbales, Guiro and Claves
Daniel Ponce - Congas and Bongos
Don Cherry - Trumpet

TRACKS/FAIXAS

Side A
1. Doin' It Right
2. Slip Slidin' Blues
3. Stella By Starlight
4. Shades Of Thelonious

Side B
1. Misty Moods
2. Scottish Blues
3. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
4. The Blessing

DOWNLOAD: Parte 1 - AQUI

DOWNLOAD: Parte 2 - AQUI