Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is April 7.

Singer Billie Holiday was born this day in 1915 in Baltimore. Overcoming one personal tragedy after another, Holiday developed a distinctive style as a singer. Her timing, turn of a phrase and nuances have made her records live on long after her death in 1959 at age 44.

Swing clarinet player Peanuts Hucko was born this day in 1918 in Syracuse, N.Y. Michael Andrew Hucko got his nickname when he was a schoolboy because he loved to eat peanuts.

Pianist and vibes player Victor Feldman was born in London in 1934. He moved to the United States in 1955 to join the Woody Herman band. Miles Davis turned Feldman's tune "Seven Steps to Heaven" into a jazz standard.

Trumpet player Freddie Hubbard was born this day in 1938 in Indianapolis. His first professional playing experiences were in his hometown with brothers Wes and Monk Montgomery.

Drummer Pete "Larocca" Sims was born this day in 1938 in New York. He was the John Coltrane quartet's first drummer back in 1960. After several decades of full-time work as a lawyer, he re-emerged to perform with his sextet Swingtime.

On this day in 1927, Duke Ellington first recorded his earliest thematic work. It was called "Black and Tan Fantasy."

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra is at The Jazz Standard tonight. Bassist Roland Guerin's band is in the Monday night spotlight at the Blue Note. Les Paul is at Iridium. The Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra is at Birdland. The Ron Affif trio is at the Zinc Bar. The Nu Band with Mark Whitecage on saxophones and clarinet, Roy Campbell Jr. on trumpet and flugelhorn, Joe Fonda on bass, and Lou Grassi on drums is at The Bop Shop in Rochester, N.Y.

The Khan Jamal-Matthew Shipp duo is at Bodek Lounge at the University of Pennsylvania's Houston Hall in Philadelphia tonight.

In the Chicago area tonight... the William Garcia quartet is at Cafe Bolera. Kelly Brand is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. The Marc Pompe trio is at the 100 South Chop House in Elmhurst tonight and Tuesday. The Mike Kocur trio is at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston tonight. Typhanie Monique and Dale Prasco are at Pops for Champagne.

In New Orleans... Earl Brown is at Cafe Sbisa. Bob French and Friends are at Donna's. Jacques Gauthe is at Fritzel's. Jeesok Kim is at the Funky Butt. Reginald Koeller leads the Monday night band at Preservation Hall. Charmaine Neville is at Snug Harbor. The New Orleans Jazz Vipers are at the Spotted Cat. The Rob Wagner trio is at d.b.a.

In California... the Gerald Wilson big band is at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. Calamari, with Emil Richards on vibes, Mike Lang on piano, Joe Porcaro on drums and Mike Valerio on bass, is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen tonight. The John Fick big band is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton tonight. Tres-Dos brings Latin jazz to Spazio in Sherman Oaks.

Singer Rhiannon is at Yoshi's in Oakland tonight. The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra directed by Alex Budman and featuring vocalist Duane Lawrence is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco on Monday nights. The Russell Malone-Benny Green duo is at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz tonight.