Today is Saturday, Nov. 16, the 320th day of 2002 with 45 to follow.

Today's birthdays include blues composer W.C. Handy, who was born in 1873, guitarist, bandleader Eddie Condon in 1905, and Toni Brown of the Joy of Cooking in 1938 (age 64).

W.C. Handy, the father of the blues, was born this date in 1873 in Florence, Ala. His compositions, including "Memphis Blues," "St. Louis Blues" and "Beale Street Blues," remain an important part of the jazz repertoire.

The weekly UPI Today in Music package for Nov. 16-22.

Pianist and composer Joe Sullivan was born this date in 1906 in Chicago. Strongly influenced by Fats Waller and Earl Hines, Sullivan played in the Bob Crosby and Eddie Condon bands.

Bass player Leonard Gaskin was born this day in 1920 in Brooklyn, N.Y. His wide-ranging bosses included Miles Davis and Eddie Condon.

This is the true centennial anniversary of Louis Armstrong's birth. The most influential performer in jazz history was born this day in 1901, and not on July 4, 1900, as often is listed in jazz reference books.

Clarinetist Edmond Hall was born this day in 1901 in New Orleans. On the New York swing and traditional jazz scene he worked with Henry Allen, Teddy Wilson, Eddie Condon and Louis Armstrong's All-Stars.

Today is Dec. 20.