Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Dec. 11.

Big band jazz trumpet player and studio musician Marky Markowitz was born this day in Washington in 1923.

Pianist McCoy Tyner was born this day in 1938 in Philadelphia. One of the most percussive pianists on the scene today, Tyner had a strong role in one of the most influential quartets in jazz history. It was the band led by saxophonist John Coltrane.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

Jazz journalist Leslie Gourse has chronicled the life and music of drummer Art Blakey in her latest jazz biography. "Art Blakey: Jazz Messenger" is just out from Schirmer Trade Books. While his influence as drummer and bandleader was enormous, the Gourse book also explores the impact Blakey had as a mentor to younger musicians passing through his succession of Jazz Messengers bands. They included Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Jackie McLean and Wynton Marsalis,

On the New York jazz scene... the Oscar Peterson quartet is at the Blue Note this week. The Chris Potter quartet is at the Village Vanguard through Sunday. Guitarist Hernan Romero is at Jazz Standard tonight. The Ron Carter quartet is at Iridium through Sunday. John Stubblefield and Quiet Fire are at the Zinc Bar tonight.

Birdland holds its first Charlie Parker Festival tonight through Saturday. It opens tonight with saxophonists Greg Osby, Vincent Herring, Steve Wilson and Justin Robinson with a rhythm section of Don Friedman, Dennis Irwin and Billy Drummond.

Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., features "A Stan Kenton Christmas" tonight with the Capitol Bones Big Band.

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 Palace Theatre in Cleveland.

On the Chicago jazz scene... Henry Johnson's Organ Express is at Andy's tonight. Jazz Vertigo is at Bistro America. Mike Finnerty and the Jazz Hippies are at Cafe Ennui. The Bill Porter Orchestra with Rich Fudoli is at Green Dolphin Street. Alan Gresik's Swing Shift Orchestra is at the Green Mill.

The Brass Tracks Big Band is at Hackney's. Samuel Del Rio is at HotHouse. The Joey DeFrancesco trio is at the Jazz Showcase. Ken Saydak is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium. The John Mose trio is at Michael's Jazz Bistro in Glen Ellyn. Jackie Allen and Judy Roberts are at Philander's in Oak Park. The Matt Skoller duo is at Pops of Highwood.

In New Orleans tonight... Brian Prunka is at the Blue Nile. Earl Brown's trio is at Cafe Sbisa. Lenny McDaniel is at Cobalt. Leigh 'Little Queenie' Harris is at Dos Jefes. The Soul Rebels Brass Band is at El Matador. Ingrid Lucia is at the Ritz Carlton's French Quarter Bar. Chi-Town Maurice Brown is at the Funky Butt.

Jack Maheu and Friends are at Fritzel's. Louis Ford is at Satchmo's jazz room in Harrah's. The Johnny Vidacovich trio featuring George Porter Jr. and Stanton Moore is at the Maple Leaf. The Jerry Embree Swing Band is at Mid-City Rock'n'Bowl. John Brunious leads the band tonight at Preservation Hall. A.J. Loria and Otra are at the Spotted Cat. The Ian McPhail quintet is at d.b.a.

On the California jazz scene... pianist Denny Zeitlin's trio is at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Sunday. The Paul Johnson quintet with Ron Stout is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton. The John Heard trio is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen tonight. Jing Chi featuring Robben Ford, Jimmy Haslip and Vinny Colaiuta is at Yoshi's in Oakland through Sunday.