Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Dec. 31.

One of the great Swing trumpeters, Jonah Jones, was born this day in 1909 in Louisville, Ky. He began his career in Mississippi Riverboat bands then worked with Stuff Smith, Lillian Armstrong and McKinney's Cotton Pickers before taking a long-standing gig with Cab Calloway's bands.

Bass player and bandleader John Kirby was born this day in 1908 in Baltimore. He led one of the most popular Swing Era small jazz ensembles and for a time was married to singer Maxine Sullivan.

On this day in 1943, a 19-year-old Dinah Washington made her first recordings with the Lionel Hampton sextet. The session for the Keynote label included "Evil Gal Blues," "I Know How To Do It," "Salty Papa Blues" and "Homeward Bound."

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... the McCoy Tyner is at Iridium through Sunday with special guest Michael Brecker. New Year's Eve at the Blue Note features the Chick Corea New Trio with Avishai Cohen and Jeff Ballard plus special guest Gary Burton. The Bill Charlap trio and special guest Phil Woods are at the Jazz Standard. New Year's Eve at The Jazz Gallery is a Southern Celebration with trumpeter LeRon Thomas's quintet plus special guests.

Herman Johnson's band is at Ryles in Cambridge, Mass., tonight.

Big Swing Face is at Chris's Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia.

Trumpeter Dominick Farinacci is at Nighttown in Cleveland tonight.

Bobby Ramirez is at Blu Fusion in Marco Island, Fla., tonight, performing songs from his new CD, "Pan Con Bistec."

In Chicago... Yoko Noge's Jazz Me Blues are at HotHouse tonight. Barry Winograd's Alternative 7 plus Ed Petersen are at the Green Mill. The Judy Roberts Quartet and Pierre Lacocque and Mississippi Heat are at Pops of Highwood. Henry Johnson's Organ Express with Von Freeman is at the Jazz Showcase. Ken Cheney is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium. Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan are at Katerina's. The Alison Ruble trio and the Steve Evans quintet are at Pops for Champagne.

In New Orleans... the Earl Brown trio is at Cafe Sbisa. Amy Adams and Leah Burton are at Charley G's. Ingrid Lucia is at the Ritz Carlton's French Quarter Bar. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers are at the House of Blues Parish room. The ReBirth Brass Band is at the Maple Leaf. Greg Stafford leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. Astral Project is at Snug Harbor. Linnzi Zaorski and Delta Royale and Son del Pantano are at the Spotted Cat. The Jessie McBride trio is at the Steak Knife.

In California... Oscar Brown Jr. and Billy Childs are at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. The Chris Williams quintet is at Steamers Jazz Café in Fullerton. The 2003 Swing Band is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. Saxophonist Don Menza is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen. Susie Hansen's Latin jazz band brings Salsa this New Year's Eve to the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Soul Sauce is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco. Taj Mahal is at Yoshi's in Oakland.

The Oliver Gannon quartet is at The Cellar in Vancouver, British Columbia, tonight.