Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Jan. 6.

Trumpet player Bobby Stark was born this day in 1906 in New York. He was featured in the Chick Webb band from 1934 to 1939. Bobby Stark died in 1945.

Drummer Barry Altschul was born this day in 1943 in New York City.

Trombonist Vernon Brown was born this day in 1907 in Venice, Ill. He worked with Frankie Trumbauer in St. Louis before becoming a free-lance musician. He was a soloist in the Mezz Mezzrow, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw orchestras. He died in 1979.

On this day in 1939, two men who fled Nazi Germany produced their first studio recording, giving life to what became the foremost and most adventuresome label in jazz. Alfred Lion and Francis Wolf brought boogie-woogie pianist Meade Lux Lewis into a New York studio to make "Solitude, which was issued as Blue Note record number one.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, guitarist Peter Leitch and alto saxophonist Bobby Watson team up tonight at Walker's. The Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band is at Birdland. Trombonist Chris Washburn's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is at Smoke tonight. Clarinetist Michael White's Original Liberty Jazz Band of New Orleans is at the Village Vanguard. Pianist Eliane Elias's trio is at Iridium. Regina Belle closes out her weeklong run at the Blue Note.

The Nando Michelin Project featuring singer Giana Viscardi os at the Acton Jazz Café in Acton, Mass., tonight.

Pianist Barry Harris's trio winds down its run at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago tonight.

In New Orleans tonight, singer Topsy Chapman joins pianist David Torkanowsky at Donna's. David Dunbar and Southern Peach Sweet Tart are at El Matador. Drummer Johnny Vidacovich's trio is at the Funky Butt. Harold 'Duke' Dejean's Olympia Brass Band is at Preservation Hall. The Silver Leaf Jazz Band is at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. The Dukes of Dixieland play for the dinner crowd aboard the Steamboat Natchez. Brian "Breeze" Cayolle is in the spotlight at the Storyville District Jazz Parlor. Adonis Rose, Peter Martin, Roland Guerin and Brice Winston lead the jam session at Sweet Lorraine's. Today's jazz brunches feature trumpeter Greg Stafford's quartet on the veranda at the Hotel Inter-Continental and the Jacques Gauthe trio at Le Meridien Hotel.

On the California jazz scene, Oscar Brown Jr. and Billy Childs are at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. Saxophonist Charles Lloyd and pianist Geri Allen close out their weeklong run at Yoshi's in Oakland with matinee and evening performances. The Jazz Crusaders featuring Wayne Henderson, Wilton Felder and Bobby Lyle are at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood tonight. Yancy Taylor and the Jazz Experience are at The Fifth Amendment in Oakland. Pilar is at the Plush Room in San Francisco. The Alcatraz Angels Jazz Band is at Dick's Restaurant in San Leandro this afternoon.