Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Nov. 17.

Guitarist Barney Kessel was born this day in Muskogee, Okla., in 1923.

Multi-instrumentalist David Amram was born this day in 1930 in Philadelphia. He has had a career-long fascination with mixing folk, classical and Middle Eastern music into his jazz-based performances.

Trombonist George Masso was born this day in 1926 in Cranston, R.I. After a stint with Jimmy Dorsey following World War II, Masso became a music teacher for 18 years. He resumed work in 1974 as a full-time musician, playing with Benny Goodman, Bobby Hackett and the World's Greatest Jazz Band.

Trombonist Wayne Andre was born this day in 1931 in Manchester, Conn.

Trombonist Roswell Rudd was born in 1935 in Sharon, Conn. He remains a creative figure on the free-jazz scene, and is a frequent collaborator these days with soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, pianist Orrin Evans' trio, featuring bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Nasheet Waits, is at The Jazz Gallery tonight. Pianist Jean-Michel Pilc's trio is at the Knitting Factory tonight. Ahmad Jamal is at Iridium, Tom Harrell is at the Village Vanguard and Paquito D'Rivera is at the Blue Note for two more nights. Trumpeter Gary Wofsey's trio plays today for the jazz brunch at The Garage in Greenwich Village. Jazz Forum Arts presents two jazz cats in hats tonight. Tenor saxophonist Gato Barbieri and trumpeter Chuck Mangione and their bands are at the Paramount center for the Arts in Peekskill.

Flute player Andrea Brachfeld's Phoenix Rising Trio is at the Old Bridge, N.J., Public Library this afternoon.

Saxophonist Greg Abate performs tonight at CAV in Providence, R.I.

Tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano's quintet with Dave Douglas, Mark Dresser, Billy Drewes and Joey Baron is at the Regattabar in Cambridge, Mass., tonight. Guitarist Bela Sarkozy is at the Hardware Café in Marion, Mass., tonight.

Violinist Jean Luc Ponty's quartet is at the Music Hall in Detroit tonight.

On the Chicago jazz scene, the Clayton Brothers band is at the Jazz Showcase through Sunday. Pianist Deanna Witkowski teams up tonight with the John Goldman quartet at Epitome Chicago. Guitarist Henry Johnson's quartet is at Pops for Champagne. The Equinox 5 brings its bossa nova sound to the Futureworld Cybercafe. The Sabertooth organ quartet is at the Green Mill for some truly late night jazz from midnight until 5 a.m. Bopology is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium on the Navy Pier tonight. Rankinfyle is at Philander's in Oak Park.

In New Orleans tonight, singer Christina Machado is at Cobalt, trumpeter Jeremy Davenport is at the Ritz Carlton's French Quarter Bar and the Joe Krown Organ Combo is at Le Bon Temps Roule. Bassist Walter Payton's traditional jazz band is at Le Meridien Hotel. Ingrid Lucia and The Flying Neutrinos swing their way into the Old Point Bar. Trumpeter Wendell Brunious leads the band at Preservation Hall. Pianist Ellis Marsalis is at Snug Harbor. Michael Ward and Mark Whitfield lead the guitar extravaganza at Sweet Lorraine's. Christian Winther is at the Jazz National Historical Park this afternoon while the Storyville Stompers are at the French Market Complex.

Guitarist Mark Towns' Flamenco Jazz Quintet is at The Red Cat Jazz Cafe in Houston tonight with vocalist Yelva.

The San Francisco Jazz Festival winds down tonight, two weeks later than expected. A concert with R&B queen Etta James and Joe Louis Walker, postponed from Oct. 26 due to illness, is set for tonight at Masonic Auditorium. Elsewhere on the California jazz scene, saxophonist Mel Martin's trio is at Pairs Restaurant in Napa tonight. Guitarist Pat Martino's trio with fellow Philadelphians Joey DeFrancesco and Byron Landham is at Yoshi's in Oakland through Sunday night. Trumpeter Jack Sheldon's California Cool quartet is at Steamer's Jazz Café in Fullerton tonight. Guitarist Kenny Burrell's quartet is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood.

Cuban composer and pianist Omar Sosa's septet performs tonight at Cuba Si! in Glasgow, Scotland.