Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Dec. 19.

Bandleader and trumpeter Lu Watters was born this day in 1911 in Santa Cruz, Calif. In the early 1940s, his Yerba Buena Jazz Band helped revived the King Oliver-style traditional jazz sound.

Valve-trombonist Bob Brookmeyer was born this day in 1929 in Kansas City, Mo.

Pianist Bobby Timmons was born this date in 1935 in Philadelphia. Inspired by Bud Powell and Red Garland, Timmons made his mark on jazz as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. His composition "Moanin'" became a classic and essential part of the Messengers' repertoire.

Bass player, photographer and jazz ambassador Milt Hinton died this day in 2000 at age 90 after a lengthy illness. Hinton was one of the most heavily recorded musicians of all time, participating in literally thousands of recording sessions as a jazz player and studio musician for nearly 70 years. His walking bass line graced projects by Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Paul McCartney.

On this day in 1936, clarinetist Barney Bigard first recorded the tune "Caravan" in Los Angeles for the Variety label.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, pianist Chick Corea performs one more evening of duets with Herbie Hancock at the Blue Note tonight as part of his multi-faceted 60th birthday celebration. Pianist Kenny Barron's trio with Ray Drummond and Ben Riley is at Iridium through Sunday. Alto saxophonist Jackie McLean teams up with the Cedar Walton trio at the Village Vanguard all week. The Eddie Palmieri Afro-Caribbean Jazz Orchestra is at Birdland. Trumpeter Ray Vega's Latin jazz sextet is at Kavehaz.

Brazilian singer Gianna is at Ryles in Cambridge, Mass., tonight.

On the greater Philadelphia jazz scene, the Qaissaune Trio is at Toscana, Richard Harner and JazzLine are at La Taverna in Bryn Mawr. Saxophonist Bootsie Barnes' Organ Trio is at Ortlieb's tonight.

In Chicago tonight, the Eddie Johnson quintet is at Andy's. Carlos Cannon is at the Backroom. The Bill Porter Orchestra with Rich Fudoli is at Green Dolphin Street. The Brass Tracks Big Band is at Hackney's. Ken Saydak is in the spotlight at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium on the Navy Pier. The Ron Perrillo trio is at Pops for Champagne. Rob Parton's Jazztech Big Band is at FitzGerald's in Berwyn, Ill.

On the New Orleans jazz scene, pianist David Torkanowsky is at Cobalt tonight. The Brian Prunka group is at the Dragon's Den. The Soul Rebels Brass Band is at El Matador. The Albert Ankrum Project is at the Funky Butt. The ReBirth Brass Band and the 007 Brass Band are at the House of Blues. Trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers are at Le Bon Temps Roule tonight. Wendell Brunious leads the band at Preservation Hall tonight. Singer Fredy Omar and his salsa band are at the Red Room tonight. Saxophonist Clarence Johnson III is Snug Harbor with his band. Pianist Eddie Bo is featured tonight at the Storyville District Jazz Parlor.

In California tonight, the Art Davis quartet featuring Doug Webb, Tootie Heath and William Henderson is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood. Saxophonist Benny Golson's quartet is at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. The Cal State Fullerton Big Bands are featured at Steamer's Jazz Café in Fullerton. Larry Dunlap and Mike O'Neill are at the Cetrella Restaurant in Half Moon Bay. Guitarist Charlie Hunter and Friends are at Yoshi's in Oakland.

Saxophonist Ken Vandermark and Torsten Muller team up tonight at The Cellar in Vancouver, Canada.