Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is March 21.

Pianist Sir Charles Thompson was born this day in 1918 in Springfield, Ohio. He left Midwest territory bands in the 1930s to join Lionel Hampton, then small groups on the New York club scene. In 1947, Thompson joined the band of Illinois Jacquet, who recorded his most popular composition "Robbins' Nest."

This was also the day in 1952 when trumpeter Clifford Brown made his first recording. It was with a jazz-tinged Philadelphia rhythm and blues group called Chris Powell and The Blue Flames. In June 1953, Brownie cut his first jazz sides with trombonist J.J. Johnson.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... there is an 85th birthday tribute celebration for pianist Marian McPartland tonight at Birdland. The Michel Camilo trio is at the Blue Note. The Bill Charlap trio is at the Village Vanguard this week. The Bobby Hutcherson sextet featuring James Spaulding and Wallace Roney is at Iridium. Organist Joey DeFrancesco's trio and special guests are at The Jazz Standard this week.

The Jazz Gallery's Duo-Piano Series continues tonight with Jean-Michel Pilc and Jim Ridl. Mike LeDonne, Ron Carter and Mickey Roker are at Smoke tonight and Saturday. Thomas Shipley is at The Triad tonight. The Rochelle Thompson trio is at the Lenox Lounge in Harlem tonight and Saturday.

Drummer Herlin Riley leads the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in its "Evolution of the Groove" concert at Alice Tully Hall. Special guest drummer Joe Chambers will premiere a new commission for this concert.

In and around Boston... the T.S. Monk sextet is at Scullers jazz club tonight and Saturday. Los Hombres Calientes with Irvin Mayfield and Bill Summers are at The Regattabar in Cambridge tonight and Saturday. The Eguie Castrillo Group is at Ryles in Cambridge tonight.

In Philadelphia... Meg Clifton and Michael Frank are at the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Café Degas tonight. Randy Johnston is at Ortlieb's Jazzhaus tonight with the Sid Simmons quartet. Toots Thielemans is at Zanzibar Blue. The Seamus Blake-John Swana quintet with special guest Uri Caine is at Chris's Jazz Cafe tonight. The Vandermark 5 is at North by Northwest.

In the Chicago area... the David Sanchez quartet is at The Jazz Showcase through Sunday. The Chris Lega-Pat Mallinger quintet is at Andy's tonight. Detour is at the Backroom through Saturday. Judy Roberts is at The Chicago Firehouse.

Kurt Elling is at the Green Mill with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra. Eddie Palmieri and La Perfecta II are at HotHouse tonight. Skinny Williams is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium on the Navy Pier tonight.

Ken Chaney's quartet is at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston tonight and Saturday. King Fleming is at Philander's in Oak Park tonight. The Bireli Lagrene Gipsy Project, with special guest Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan, is at the Old Town School of Folk Music tonight.

On the New Orleans jazz scene... Earl Brown is at Cafe Sbisa. The Treme Brass Band is at Donna's. Ryan Burrage and the Rhythm Makers are at Fritzel's. Devin Phillips' Hot Shots and Have Soul Will Travel are at the Funky Butt. Mark Braud and Topsy Chapman are at Harrah's. The Soul Rebels Brass Band is at Le Bon Temps Roule.

The Ernie Elly Slickshots with Thais Clark are at the Palm Court. Leroy Jones leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. Doug Bickel is at Rene Bistrot. Ellis Marsalis is at Snug Harbor. The Jazz Vipers are at the Spotted Cat. Papa Grows Funk and the ReBirth Brass Band are at Tipitina's.

In California... San Francisco's SFJAZZ opens its spring season tonight and tomorrow afternoon with the Marcus Roberts trio at the Herbst Theater. This year's so-called spring season, programmed by Joshua Redman, runs through July.

Singer-pianist Freddy Cole's quartet is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Sunday. The Joe LaBarbera quintet is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen tonight and Saturday with the John Heard trio.

The Jennifer York quartet is at Steamer's Jazz Cafe in Fullerton tonight. Saxophonist Wayne De Silva's quartet is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco. The Charles Lloyd quartet featuring Geri Allen is at Yoshi's jazz club in Oakland through Sunday.

Dr. John and the Lower 911 are at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle through Sunday.

Holland's ICP Orchestra is at the Norman Rothstein Theater in Vancouver, British Columbia, tonight.