Newsmakers | Jazz great Hilton Ruiz in critical condition

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, May, 2006 | by Tirdad Derakhshani

Jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz, who was found unconscious on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Friday, was in critical condition yesterday.

Ruiz's manager Joel Chriss says the musician, who has a skull fracture and broken bones in his face, was most likely attacked, though "lawyers have asked us not to characterize it that way because we have no proof," Chriss said.

Police reps said they have no information on Ruiz or the allegations.

Ruiz, whose 54th birthday is next week, has performed on more than 500 recordings and was in the Big Easy for TV and radio interviews.

Elton plays hardball

When Brit paper The Daily Mail called Sir Elton John a real meanie in the playground, John didn't cry or anything. He sued.

The tab ran a story saying that...