Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is March 10.

On March 10-11, 1960, trumpeter Miles Davis and the Gil Evans Orchestra went into the studio to finish the "Sketches of Spain" recording they began four months earlier with the hallmark piece "Concierto de Aranjuez."

On these final two days, they added "The Pan Piper," "Solea," "Will o' the Wisp'" and "Saeta." Davis was hooked on Spanish music and used its motif throughout his career. As Davis once explained, "Flamenco music is the blues -- only in Spanish."

Pianist Don Abney was born this day in 1923. As an accompanist, he toured and recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae and Pearl Bailey during various periods from the 1950s into the 1970s and also worked with Benny Carter, Louie Bellson and Stan Kenton.

Cornetist Bix Beiderbecke was born this day in 1903 in Davenport, Iowa. Strongly influenced by Louis Armstrong and another riverboat trumpeter named Emmett Henry, Beiderbecke was a star soloist with The Wolverines by the time he was 20.

Bix was one of the first great lyrical horn players in jazz, who made his mark in the bands of Jean Goldkette, Paul Whiteman and Glenn Gray. He was 28 when he died of pneumonia after years of ill health caused by alcoholism.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, Willie Colon's band is at the Blue Note tonight, closing out week two of the club's month-long Latin jazz festival. Trumpeter Roy Hargrove's quintet is at the Village Vanguard. Pianist Cyrus Chestnut's All-Stars are at Iridium. Singer Blossom Dearie is at Danny's Skylight Room tonight through Sunday. Guitarist Peter Leitch and alto saxophonist Steve Wilson team up tonight at Walker's.

The Dom Minasi trio and Jackalope, featuring Bob Meyer, John Abercrombie and Loren Stillman, are at CBGB's Lounge tonight. Trombonist Chris Washburne's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is at Smoke tonight. The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey is at the Knitting Factory tonight. Singer Michael Camacho is at Java'n'Jazz this afternoon with bassist Tommy Patrice and guitarist Randy Johnston. Kendra Shank's quartet performs in the Sunday brunch series at Iridium today.

Saxophonist Dick Johnson is featured this evening in the new jazz series at Ricky T's in Plymouth, Mass. He's backed by trumpeter Johnny Souza, pianist Ray Santisi, bassist Paul Delnero and drummer Gene Roma.

The Freddie Hubbard Group is at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Mass., tonight.

Singer Donna Byrne and her band are at Casa Vecchia in Salem, N.H., tonight.

On the Ohio jazz scene, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis lectures this afternoon and his septet performs tonight at the University of Akron as part of the school's jazz festival. Vibes player Ron Busch and pianist Skeets Ross team up tonight at Cleveland State University's Drinko Hall as part of the Sundown Jazz series.

In and around Chicago tonight, singer-pianist Patricia Barber is at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest as part of the Cabin Fever Jazz Series. The Bob Dorough trio and Joanie Pallatto and Sparrow are featured tonight at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Stormy Weather is at Northwestern University's Lutkin Hall in Evanston tonight.

Carlos Cannon is at the Backroom. Dewey Redman is at the Jazz Showcase tonight. Mike Finnerty and the Jazz Hippies are at Cafe Ennui. The Bill O'Connell Big Band is at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn tonight.

The Sonny Turner quintet is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium tonight.

On the New Orleans jazz scene, Los Hombres Calientes perform at the Black Heritage Festival in Armstrong Park this afternoon. Stu Crawford is at the Bombay Club tonight. Topsy Chapman joins drummer Shannon Powell and friends tonight at Donna's. The Robin Boudreaux quintet is at the Funky Butt. Trombonist Troy Andrews' Brass Band is at the Maple Leaf. Lucien Barbarin and the Sunday Night Swingsters are at the Palm Court. Harold 'Duke' Dejean's Olympia Brass Band is at Preservation Hall. Singer Boutte will tear things up at the Storyville District Jazz Parlor.

On the California jazz scene, Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band are at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. Steve Smith and Vital Information are at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood with saxophonist Bill Evans. Hugh Masekela is at Yoshi's in Oakland. Trumpeter Rick Braun is at Kimball's East in Emeryville.

The Golden Eagle Dixieland Jazz Band is at Steamer's Jazz Café in Fullerton this afternoon. Anita O'Day is at the Plush Room in San Francisco this afternoon. The Alcatraz Angels Jazz Band is at Dick's Restaurant in San Leandro this afternoon.

The Katchie Cartwright Ensemble is at the Palm Room at the Hyatt St. Claire in San Jose. Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge are at the Jazzschool in Berkeley today. Holly Hofman teams up with Bill Cunliff for a concert for the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society in Half Moon Bay. Pianist Taylor Eigsti's trio is at Old First Church in San Francisco tonight. The Calvin Keys Trio performs tonight at Stanford University's Campbell Recital Hall in Palo Alto.

Spyro Gyra is at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle tonight.