Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Jan. 11

Trombonist Wilbur DeParis was born this day in 1900 in Crawfordsville, Ind. He began his musical career around age 12, playing in tent shows and carnival bands. He had several bands of his own, including his "New" New Orleans Band, formed in 1947, after two years with Duke Ellington. He died in 1973.

Saxophonist Tab Smith was born this day in 1911 in Kinston, N.C. He joined Lucky Millinder's band in New York in 1936, then spent some time in the Basie band before forming his own small groups that worked into the early 1960s. He died in 1971.

Jazz drummer and arranger Osie Johnson was born in Washington, D.C., on this day in 1923. From the mid-1950s, he worked principally as a session musician in television and recording studios in New York. Johnson wrote a number of arrangements for singer Dinah Washington. They included "Fool That I Am" and "It's Too Soon to Know." He died in 1966.

On this day in 1939, the first Metronome All-Star session was recorded. Those sides, "Blue Lou" and "The Blues," featured Bunny Berigan, Harry James and Benny Goodman. That first recording session, at 1 a.m., came about through the sponsorship of Metronome magazine.

The music magazine ran an annual poll of readers' favorite instrumentalists and bands starting in 1939 and continuing until it ceased publication in 1961. In most years through 1956, the individual winners were assembled for Metronome All-Stars recording sessions that documented prevailing styles and tastes in jazz.

The Prestige label, founded by Bob Weinstock, cut its first record on this date in 1949. The release was saxophonist Lee Konitz's "Progression."

On this night in 2002, the National Endowment for the Arts presented its annual American Jazz Masters Awards to bassist Percy Heath, saxophonist Frank Foster and pianist McCoy Tyner. The honors and $20,000 stipends for lifetime achievement in jazz came at the 29th annual International Association for Jazz Education conference in Long Beach, Calif., through Saturday.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

The 30th annual International Association for Jazz Education winds down tonight at Canada's Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Tonight's closing concert will feature Vic Vogel and Le Jazz Big Band, Dave Weckl, the John Pizzarelli trio, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass with special guest Ingrid Jensen.

On the New York jazz scene... Mark Murphy is at Birdland tonight. The Gonzalo Rubalcaba trio is at Iridium this week with special guest David Sanchez. Nicholas Payton and The Soul Patrol and the Danilo Perez trio are at the Blue Note through Sunday. Donald Harrison's Congo Nation Tribe is at the Jazz Standard tonight.

The D.D. trio is at The Jazz Gallery tonight. All-Jazz Saturday Night at the New York Hilton and Towers' Mercury Ballroom features guitarist Lou Volpe, pianist Aaron Goldberg, singers Allan Harris, Spider Saloff and Vikki True, and the Miguel Romero ensemble.

Saxophonists Greg Abate and Dick Johnson are at Chan's in Woonsocket, R.I., tonight.

Wildest Dreams are at Ryles in Cambridge, Mass., tonight.

In Philadelphia tonight... singer Chris Conner is at Chris's Jazz Cafe. The Jackie Browne band featuring Connie Rainis is at Zanzibar Blue.

In and around Chicago... guitarist Larry Coryell is at the Jazz Showcase through Sunday with bassist Larry Gray and drummer Paul Wertico. The Von Freeman quintet is at Andy's. Judy Roberts is at The Chicago Firehouse. Bopology is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium. Henry Johnson's Organ Express is at Michael's Jazz Bistro in Glen Ellyn. Fareed Haque is at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston. Rankinfyle is at Philander's in Oak Park. The Roderick Harper quartet is at Pops for Champagne. The Redd Holt trio is at Pops of Highwood.

On the New Orleans jazz scene tonight... Bust is at the Blue Nile. Earl Brown's trio is at Cafe Sbisa. David Torkanowsky is at Cobalt. Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias are at Donna's. The Dave Ellington trio is at Dos Jefes. Astral Project and the Devin Phillips quartet are at the Funky Butt. Lionel Ferbos is at the Palm Court. John Brunious leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall.

Doug Bickel is at Rene Bistrot. The Panorama Jazz Band is at the Seaport Cafe. John Ellis is at Snug Harbor. The New Orleans Jazz Vipers are at the Spotted Cat. Tipitina's Back to School Bash tonight features the ReBirth Brass Band plus Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers. The Brian Prunka ensemble is at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park this afternoon.

In California... the Benny Golson quartet is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. The Estrada Brothers Latin jazz band is at Steamer's Jazz Cafe in Fullerton tonight. Saxophonist Charles Owens is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen tonight with the John Heard trio. The Pete Jolly trio is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. Kinda Blue is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco tonight. Steve Turre's Sanctified Shells with Pharoah Sanders and Jon Faddis are at Yoshi's in Oakland.