Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Monday, July 8.

Singer Billy Eckstine, lovingly known to his fans as "Mr. B," was born this day in Pittsburgh in 1914.

The great showman and bandstand wit Louis Jordan, a singer, alto sax player and influential bandleader, was born this day in 1908 in Brinkley, Ark. His hits included "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie," "Caldonia" and "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?"

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... Les Paul and his trio are at Iridium tonight. The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra is at the Village Vanguard. Vered Dekel and Miles Griffith are in the Monday night spotlight at the Blue Note. The Marcus Strickland Quartet is featured tonight in the Sidemen Steppin' Out series at the Screening Room. Gals Who Sing Pretty, Babyskins, Diane Cluck and Kelly Slusher are at the Knitting Factory.

Curtis Stigers is at the Dakota jazz club in St. Paul, Minn., tonight through Wednesday.

In and around Chicago... Yoko Noge's Jazz Me Blues is at HotHouse. Kelly Brand is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium. Nadine Baxter is at Philander's in Oak Park. Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman are at Pops for Champagne.

In New Orleans tonight... the Manabu Sakei Jazz Trio is at Checkpoint Charlie. Bob French and Friends are at Donna's where there are free red beans and barbecue between sets on Monday nights. The Jason Marsalis Quartet and the Just Off the Boat Refugee Jazz Band are at the Funky Butt. Joe Krown is at Le Bon Temps Roule. Matt Lemmler and Mike Esnault are at Le Salon at Windsor Court tonight.

Reginald Koeller leads the band tonight at Preservation Hall. Charmaine Neville is at Snug Harbor. The New Orleans Jazz Vipers and Ryan Burrage and the Rhythm Masters are at the Spotted Cat. The Dukes of Dixieland perform tonight for the dinner cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez. The Rob Wagner Trio is at d.b.a.

In California... Big Band 2000 with Luretta McCray is at Steamers Jazz Café in Fullerton tonight. The Jennifer Leitham trio is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood. Martin Fierro and Eric Wiley are at Main Street Station in Guerneville tonight. Zony Mash Unplugged is at Yoshi's in Oakland tonight. In San Francisco tonight, George Khouri is at the Bix Restaurant and Supper Club and the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra is at Jazz at Pearl's.