Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Oct. 9.

Bandleader and banjo player Elmer Snowden was born this day in 1900 in Baltimore. He played with a young Duke Ellington in a trio in Washington around 1919, then summoned Ellington to New York when he needed a piano player. Ellington soon was on his own.

Singer Lee Wiley was born this day in 1915 in Fort Gibson, Okla. She was one of the first white singers to build upon the style set by Ethel Waters. "Night in Manhattan," made in 1950 with Joe Bushkin and Bobby Hackett, was one of her best recordings. She died in 1975.

Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, known early in his career as Dollar Brand, was born this day in 1934 in Cape Town, South Africa. He left his homeland in 1961 because of oppressive racial conditions. He now divides his time between Cape Town and New York.

On this day in 1952, singer Annie Ross recorded her version of "Twisted" for the Prestige label.

On this day in 2001, Germany's ECM label released "Inside Out" by the Keith Jarrett trio with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette. It was taken from two concerts at Royal Festival Hall in London.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... guitarist Jim Hall is at the Village Vanguard through Sunday. Bassist Dave Holland's 13-piece big band is at Birdland through Saturday. The Arthur Blythe quartet is at the Jazz Standard this week. Iridium this week has the Sam Rivers trio and the Andrew Hill quartet. Two duos... Gary Burton and Makoto Ozone plus Benny Green and Russell Malone... share the billing at the Blue Note this week. Amsterdam-based Klez Jazz featuring Burton Greene and Perry Robinson is at the Triad Music and Performance Space tonight.

Guitarist Scott Henderson brings his "Well To The Bone" blues-rock tour to the Montage Grill in Rochester tonight.

Cristina Branco is at Scullers in Boston tonight. The Mark Kross Five-Piece Trio is at The Regattabar in Cambridge, Mass.

The Sona Mo chorro ensemble is at the Bird of Paradise in Ann Arbor, Mich., tonight.

In and around Chicago... pianist Cedar Walton's trio is at the Jazz Showcase this week. Henry Johnson's Organ Express is at Andy's tonight. Mike Finnerty and the Jazz Hippies are at Cafe Ennui. The Bill Porter Orchestra with Rich Fudoli is at Green Dolphin Street. The Kurt Elling quartet is at the Green Mill. Ken Saydak is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium tonight. The Ron Perrillo trio is at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston. Jackie Allen and Judy Roberts are at Philander's in Oak Park. The Alison Ruble trio is at Pops for Champagne.

In New Orleans tonight... Lenny McDaniel is at Cobalt. Leigh "Little Queenie" Harris is at Dos Jefes. Ingrid Lucia is at the Ritz Carlton's French Quarter Bar. Samir Zarif is at the Funky Butt tonight. Topsy Chapman is at Satchmo's jazz room at Harrah's tonight. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers are at Le Bon Temps Roule. John Brunious leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. The Rob Wagner trio is at the Seaport Cafe. John Mahoney's Big Band is at Snug Harbor. Dr. Guitar and the Franklin Avenue Overpass and the Latin band Otra are at the Spotted Cat tonight. Wendell Brunious is at the Sandbar at the University of New Orleans.

In California... the Susan Sinner quartet is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton. The Midnight Jazz Band is at Spazio in Sherman Oak tonight. Steve Tyrell is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood tonight. Dave Weckl's band is at Yoshi's in Oakland through Thursday. Guitarist Al DiMeola is at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz tonight. Trumpeter Kermit Ruffins is at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco tonight.

On the publication front...

Schirmer Trade Books has published "Art Blakey, Jazz Messenger," a biography of the drummer by veteran jazz journalist Leslie Gourse. It is for sale for $25 at leading bookstores. It is available on-line from Barnes and Noble.