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Hilton Ruiz tribute, Arsenio Rodriguez honored

Latin Jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz died in New Orleans in 2006 from unexplained injuries.  He left behind an unfinished musical project that was to have benefited Hurricane Katrina victims.

Marco Matute has launched a PledgeMusic projectthat will produce the CD that Hilton intended, along with a documentary film about Hilton Ruiz.  Here's a preview of the film.  And here's some of Hilton's music:

http://youtu.be/qaYBR5OaPUA

Arsenio Rodriguez was the Cuban tres player, composer and bandleader who is credited with developing the son montuno, which evolved into modern salsa music.

Today, residents of the Bronx, music fans and community historians gathered to celebrate the renaming of the intersection of Intervale Ave. and Dawson St. in the Longwood neighborhood in honor of the great musician.  Rodriguez lived in the neighborhood and worked in the clubs in that area after he came to the US in the 1950s.

The Bronx is known as the "Borough of Salsa."

http://youtu.be/eaovujnieOs

Listen for tributes to the heroes of Latin Jazz on Jazz Caliente, Thursdays at 2pm on KPLU's Mid Day Jazz.

Originally from Detroit, Robin Lloyd has been presenting jazz, blues and Latin jazz on public radio for nearly 40 years. She's a member of the Jazz Education Network and the Jazz Journalists Association.