Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Dec. 3.

Singer Sylvia Sims was born this date in 1919. The popular cabaret singer died in 1992 during a standing ovation she received at the New York cabaret scene's famed Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel.

Trombonist Fred Assunto was born this date in 1929. He made his mark in traditional jazz with the Dukes of Dixieland.

Singer Cassandra Wilson was born this day in 1955 in Jackson, Miss.

On this day in 1994, Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble opened a four-concert American tour following their collaborative recording "Officium," an enchanting blend of jazz improvisation and centuries old Gregorian chant.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... the Palmetto jazz record label presents six nights highlighting its roster at The Jazz Standard this week. Tonight brings the Andrew Hill quartet to the stage. David Berkman, Orrin Evans, Ray Vega and Bill Mays are featured later in the week.

Guitarist Lee Ritenour is at the Blue Note tonight through Sunday. There's a double Hammond B-3 blowout at Iridium this week featuring Jimmy McGriff and Dr. Lonnie Smith with special guests Houston Person and Melvin Sparks. The Geri Allen trio is at the Village Vanguard through Sunday. The Duke Ellington Orchestra is at Birdland tonight.

In Boston tonight... trombonist Phil Wilson and the Berklee College of Music Rainbow Band will present a concert celebrating the music of the late big band leader Woody Herman at the Berklee Performance Center.

In Philadelphia tonight, The Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts presents a Collective Voices medical support fundraiser for vibes player Khan Jamal, who recently suffered a stroke. Philadelphia area musicians participating include the Odean Pope Saxophone Choir, Warren Oree and The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, The Clef Club Student Ensemble directed by Lovett Hines, Trudy Pitts, the Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen, Ed Crockett, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Monette Sudler, Rufus Harley, John Blake, Bobby Zankel, Omar Hill, Dwight James, Harold E. Smith and Kevin Diehl and singers Michal Beckham and George Johnson.

Trumpeter Michael Wade and The Jazz Mafia are at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., tonight.

On the Chicago jazz scene... there's a tribute to Ray Brown featuring Monty Alexander, Russell Malone and John Clayton this week at the Jazz Showcase. Men of Note are at Andy's tonight. Jimmy Sutton's Four Charms are at the Green Mill. Ken Cheney is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium tonight. Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan are at Katerina's. Von Freeman and Friends are at the New Apartment Lounge. Marshall Vente is at Philander's in Oak Park. The Dan Cay trio is at Pops for Champagne. Warren Beck is at Pops of Highwood tonight.

In New Orleans... the Ted Hefko quartet and Tondrea are at the Blue Nile. The Earl Brown trio is at Cafe Sbisa tonight. Ingrid Lucia is at the Ritz-Carlton's French Quarter Bar. Chi-Town Maurice Brown is at the Funky Butt. Topsy Chapman is at Satchmo's jazz room in Harrah's. The ReBirth Brass Band is at the Maple Leaf.

Greg Stafford leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. The Rob Wagner trio is at the Seaport Cafe. The Jason Marsalis quintet is at Snug Harbor. Linnzi Zaorski and Delta Royale are at the Spotted Cat. The Joe Krown Organ Combo is at d.b.a.

On the California jazz scene... Jimmy Scott is at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Sunday. John Pisano's Guitar Night takes place on Tuesday at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. The Ron Kobayashi trio with Debbi Ebert is at Steamers Jazz Café in Fullerton. The Hirahara-Sickafoose-Amendola trio is at Jazz At Intersection tonight in San Francisco's Mission District. The Anthony Wilson nonet is at Yoshi's in Oakland tonight.

Smooth-jazz saxophonist Dave Koz brings sixth annual "A Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour" with David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell and Peter White to the Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle tonight. The Tierney Sutton band is at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle tonight and Wednesday.

On the recording front...

Playscape Recordings today released its three newest titles. They are George Schuller's "Hellbent," Tom Christensen's "Paths," and Michael Musillami and Mario Pavone's "Pivot." Founded by guitarist Musillami, Playscape has released more than 20 titles featuring Thomas Chapin, Joe Fonda, Randy Brecker, Marty Ehrlich, Wallace Roney, Marvin "Smitty" Smith and Branford Marsalis. More information about the Playscape Recordings catalog is available at playscape-recordings.com.

"Hellbent" is the follow-up to the drummer Schuller's Schulldogs' 1999 debut, "Tenor Tantrums." Both Tony Malaby (tenor saxophone) and brother Ed Schuller (bass) return from the first record, with Tim Berne (alto saxophone) replacing George Garzone.

Multi-instrumentalist Tom Christensen's piano-less ensemble features Charles Pillow on reeds and flutes, Ben Allison on bass, Satoshi Takeishi on percussion and Andrew Sterman on bass flute and bass clarinet in a blend of ideas from world music, classical music and jazz.

Guitarist Michael Musillami and bassist Mario Pavone are frequent collaborators on multiple recordings. "Pivot" features a new ensemble with George Sovak on saxes, clarinet and flute, Art Baron on trombone and George Schuller on drums.