Jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz in critical condition

No injuries were reported to other parts of Ruiz's body, said Joel Chriss, Ruiz's agent and manager. He said Ruiz's heart stopped on the way to the hospital, but he was resuscitated.

Photo: Jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz in critical condition

Ruiz, who will be 54 in five days, has been unconscious since he was found about 4:30 a.m. Friday after leaving the Utopia bar on Bourbon Street, Chriss said from New York in a telephone interview.

He said he has been told the initial police report said Ruiz had fallen, according to the AP.

Bob Young, a police spokesman, said that as of Wednesday morning, he had no report involving Ruiz.

Keith Darcey, a hospital spokesman, said Ruiz remained in critical condition Wednesday. Privacy rules kept the hospital from giving any details, he said.

Ruiz' wife, Aida, was at the hospital Tuesday. She told The Times-Picayune newspaper that Ruiz, who lives in New Jersey, came to New Orleans on Thursday.

He was in the city for radio and television interviews, and to take some photographs for a CD on the M27 label, featuring New Orleans music, Chriss said.