Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Nov. 7.

Pianist and trumpet player Joe Bushkin was born this day in 1916 in New York.

Howard Rumsey, a bass player who had a profound impact on the development of West Coast jazz, was born this day in 1917. He led the Lighthouse All-Stars.

Trumpeter Al Hirt was born this day in 1922 in New Orleans. In addition to having a successful popular career, he also helped launch one. Hirt gave a very young Wynton Marsalis his first trumpet. Hirt died in 1999.

On this day in 1940, the Duke Ellington Orchestra popped into Fargo, N.D.'s Crystal Ballroom for a dance concert. Duke had the good sense or good fortune -- for Ellington fans -- to record it. The concert's swinging intensity foreshadowed a 1956 appearance at Newport that became Ellington's biggest selling album and put the band back on a popular upswing. The Fargo concert recording became an important part of the Ellington discography after its late 1980s release.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, singer-guitarist John Pizzarelli opens a four-night run at Birdland tonight. Trumpeter Ray Vega and Boperation are at Kavehaz tonight. The Knitting Factory's always eclectic lineup includes Dead Cat Bounce, Phase III, Carter Thornton's Bright Light Blue Light and Andy Parsons. The Illinois Jacquet Big Band continues its run at Iridium through Sunday. Charlie Watts and his Jazz Tentet are at the Blue Note all week. Lou Donaldson is in the corner spotlight at the Village Vanguard.

In and around Boston, saxophonist Robbie Lee's quartet is at the Regattabar in Cambridge tonight. Guitarist Issi Rozen's band is at Les Zygomates and The Kubota Power Jazz Unit is at Limbo, both in Boston.

Marlon Simon and the Nagual Spirits are at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., tonight.

The Jazz Mandolin Project, featuring Jon Fishman on drums, is at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem, N.C., tonight.

On the Cleveland jazz scene, singer-pianist Mose Allison is at Nighttown tonight. The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey is at the Beachland Ballroom.

In New Orleans tonight, the Matt Johnson trio is at the Arcadian Beer Garden, pianist David Torkanowsky is at Cobalt 333 with his band and the Soul Rebels Brass Band is at El Matador. Wendell Brunious leads the band at Preservation Hall. Fredy Omar's Salsa band is at the Red Room. The Dukes of Dixieland perform for the dinner crowd aboard the Steamboat Natchez tonight. Mark Braud is at the Storyville District Jazz Parlor. Trumpeter Nicholas Payton performs in the University of New Orleans' Jazz at the Sandbar series.

On the Chicago jazz scene tonight, pianist Monty Alexander's trio holds down the fort at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase through November 12th. Chicago Jim Ryan, Bobby Lewis and Pat Mallinger team up at Andy's tonight. Carlos Cannon is at the Backroom through Saturday. Ron Smith is at Bistro America in Batavia, Ill. Mike Finnerty and the Jazz Hippies are at Café Bolera.

Half as Much with Dave Rempis, Jason Adasieciwz, Josh Berman and Brian Dibblee is at the Empty Bottle. Ken Saydak is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium tonight. Bob Baglione and the Sunami Jazz Ensemble are at Michael's Jazz Bistro in Glen Ellyn tonight. Andrew Blendermann is at Philander's in Oak Park. Pianist Steve Million's trio is at Pops for Champagne tonight.

Pianist Keith Jarrett's trio with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette is at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis tonight.

On the California jazz scene, tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders' quartet is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood through Sunday. Pianist Denny Zeitlin's trio with Buster Williams and Matt Wilson is at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Sunday. Jackie McLean is featured with the Cedar Walton trio at Yoshi's in Oakland all week. The Bob Schoen Jazz Quartet is at Anna's Place in Berkeley tonight. Boplicity is at Cato's Ale House in Oakland.

In San Francisco tonight, the Mark Stock trio is at the Cypress Club, cabaret star Karen Akers is at The Plush Room and the Vince Lateano trio is at Pearl's. The Cal State Fullerton Big Bands are showcased at Steamer's Jazz Café in Fullerton tonight.

Cuban composer and pianist Omar Sosa's septet performs tonight at Jazz a l'Ouest in Rennes, France.