Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is March 2.

On this day in 1959, trumpeter Miles Davis and his band began recording what became perhaps the most influential and certainly the best selling album in jazz history. Forty-plus years after its release, "Kind of Blue" remains a perennial Top 10 seller.

"Kind of Blue" was the first jazz recording to use ancient Greek musical scales as the foundation for improvisation rather than relying on traditional solos based on chord changes. The session became one of pure spontaneity as Davis dropped his new concept on his players that morning with no rehearsal.

Over the years, many musicians noticed that the sound on "Kind of Blue" seemed a quarter-tone sharp, and very hard to emulate. It turns out the master recording machine from the March 2, 1959, session was running slow. When the tape was played back at the correct speed, the music sounded a bit faster, or sharper, than intended. It was released anyway.

In 1992, Columbia Records released a Master Sound edition of "Kind of Blue" made from a backup or safety tape machine that was running at the correct speed. This gold version shines a new light on the recording, and, to some ears, makes "Kind of Blue" even more dynamic and rich.

Tenor saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis was born this day in 1921 in New York. On and off, he spent nearly four decades as a member or guest soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra. He died in 1986.

Bass player Doug Watkins was born this day in 1934 in Detroit. After touring with James Moody, he moved to New York and became one of the original Jazz Messengers. He also recorded with Horace Silver, Donald Byrd, Sonny Rollins, Lee Morgan and Charles Mingus. He died in 1962.

Bass player Buell Neidlinger was born this day in 1936 in New York. He has had a wide-ranging career, beginning as a teenager with Dixieland and swing bands, then spending nearly 10 years with avant-garde pianist Cecil Taylor. His jazz-rock collaborations have been with Frank Zappa and Jean-Luc Ponty.

Guitarist Larry Carlton was born this day in 1948 in Torrance, Calif. In 1971, he joined The Crusaders and stuck around long enough to record on six of the group's funky jazz albums. At the same time, he became the premiere studio guitarist in Los Angeles.

Carlton was shot in the throat in April 1988 by a teenager apparently try to break into his home studio. The shot went through Carlton's vocal cords and nearly severed his carotid artery. He almost bled to death, but was back playing, performing and recording within eight months. In 1998, Carlton joined the fusion band Fourplay.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, saxophonists Dave Liebman, Craig Handy and Jimmy Greene are at Birdland tonight in a tribute to late Joe Henderson. The Blue Note's month-long Latin Jazz Festival features Ray Barretto and New World Spirit plus Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band through Sunday. Pianist Geri Allen's trio is at Iridium and bassist Ray Drummond's quartet is at the Village Vanguard tonight.

The Jazz Gallery presents the second evening in its month-long piano duo series with Dave Kikoski and Dario Boente playing tonight on the venue's two historic and excellent pianos. The Baldwin came from Bradley's jazz club. The Yamaha belonged to Carmen McRae.

The Shoko Nagai quintet and Dopelganger with Tim Byrnes, Josh Smith, Trevor Dunn and Mike Pride are at the Knitting Factory tonight. Guitarists David Fiuczynski, Ronny Jordan, Eric Krasno, Rodney Jones and Mark Whitfield go head to head tonight at the B.B. King Blues Club. Singer-pianist Norah Jones is at the Fez tonight with her band. Annette Aguilar and her StringBeans Latin jazz ensemble are at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's BAM Café tonight. Percussionists Susie Ibarra and Ravish Momin perform tonight at the City University of New York Graduate Center.

Jazz at Lincoln Center's "Boudoir Tenors" celebration of the saxophone ballad tradition is at the Kaplan Penthouse with Frank Wess, Lew Tabackin, Wayne Escoffery and Stephen Riley.

In and around Boston, trumpeter Johnny Souza teams up this afternoon with pianist Ray Santisi, bassist John Repucci and drummer Gary Johnson at the Mall at Chestnut Hill in Brookline.

In Chicago tonight, Chuchito Valdes' Afro-Cuban Ensemble is at the Mambo Café. Bopology is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium. Guitarist Pat Martino's trio is at the Jazz Showcase for two more nights.

On the New Orleans jazz scene, Marc Adams' trio is at Cobalt. Trumpeter Leroy Jones' quintet is at Donna's. The New Orleans Nightcrawlers Brass Band is at the Dragon's Den. Jeremy Davenport is at the Ritz Carlton's French Quarter Bar. Devin Phillips' quartet is at the Funky Butt tonight. Topsy Chapman and Louis Ford are featured at Satchmo's at Harrah's Casino tonight.

Lionel Ferbos leads the band at Palm Court. Wendell Brunious leads the band at Preservation Hall. Astral Project is in the spotlight at Snug Harbor. Mark Braud and George French bring their bands into the Storyville District Jazz Parlor. The ReBirth Brass Band is at at Tipitina's. Trumpeter Michael Ray's Cosmic Funk Quartet is at the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, along with the Spider Duo featuring Earle Brown and Sam McNaughton.

Dr. Jazz and his New Orleans Dixieland Band are at the French Market Complex this afternoon. The All Women's Traditional Jazz Band with Sista Teedy, Rebecca Barry and Cassandra Ankrum is at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park this afternoon.

On the California jazz scene, tenor saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman's band is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. Drummer Dave Weckl's band is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood for two more nights. Bobby Short is in the spotlight at Yoshi's in Oakland. Spyro Gyra is at Kimball's East in Emeryville.

Drummer Jeff Hamilton's trio is at Steamer's Jazz Café in Fullerton. The Nuclear Whales Saxophone Quartet is at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz tonight. Brothers Dan and Chris Brubeck, sons of piano great Dave Brubeck, bring their quintet into Villa Montalvo in Saratoga tonight.

In San Francisco tonight, Paula West is at The Plush Room. The Post Junk Trio is at the Beach Chalet. George Khouri's trio is at the Bix Restaurant and Supper Club. Soul Sauce is at Jazz at Pearl's.