Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Oct. 26.

Mahalia Jackson was born this day in New Orleans in 1911. This devoutly religious woman rose from cleaning lady and neighborhood church singer to the heights of artistic and financial success. Without peer as a gospel singer, Jackson made church music familiar to the world at-large. Her 1945 recording "Move On Up A Little Higher" sold more than one million copies.

Saxophonist and bandleader Charlie Barnet was born this day in 1913 in New York. His big band caused a sensation in 1939 when it succeeded the Count Basie orchestra at the Famous Door in New York. His biggest hit was a definitive version of "Cherokee." Barnet died in 1991.

Saxophonist Warne Marsh was born this day in 1927 in Los Angeles. His primary musical associations were with Lennie Tristano and Lee Konitz. He died in 1987.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, pianist John Hicks' quintet is at the Lenox Lounge in Harlem tonight and Saturday. Singer Jackie Paris is at Birdland tonight and Saturday. Singer Claudia Acuna's quintet is the Jazz Gallery tonight. Aaron Davis Hall in Harlem presents new works by composers Henry Threadgill and Butch Morris tonight and Saturday. Those pieces are Threadgill¹s"On Walcott," an orchestral work featuring the text of Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott, and Morris's "Conduction No. 119," which will the composer says will explore the view "from where you have been to where you are going" with an ensemble of Harlem musicians.

Tonight's Knitting Factory lineup includes a CD release show of bassist Mark Helias's "Open Loose" band with drummer Tom Rainey and tenor saxophonist Tony Malaby, the Fields-Golia-Makihara trio, and the Jack Grace Band. Baritone saxophonist Joe Temperley is featured artist today in the Jazz at Noon series at Café St. Bart's in midtown Manhattan.

Saxophonist Gerry Niewood and guitarist Gene Bertoncini team up tonight at Papa-Razzi in Paramus, N.J.

Singer Allan Harris is at Zanzibar Blue in Philadelphia for the next two nights.

Singer Rebecca Parris is at Chan's in Woonsocket, R.I., tonight for the club's Eggrolls and Jazz series.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is at the Cuban Club in Tampa, Fla., tonight.

The Bird of Paradise in Ann Arbor, Mich., presents its first Intercollegiate Big Band Jazz Festival tonight through Sunday. Six regional collegiate big bands vying for top honors at the showcase include two units from the University of Michigan and one each from Wayne State, Michigan State, Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan University. Each night's big band sets will be followed by faculty performances by renowned jazz artists and educators including Matt Michael's, Chris Collins, Dennis Tinny, Ellen Rowe, Dennis Wilson, Rodney Whittaker, Russ Schmidt, Tim Froncek and Don Babcock.

On the Chicago jazz scene, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker and Roy Hargrove bring their Directions in Music tour to Orchestra Hall tonight. The Kevin Tkacz Quartet with Bill Carrothers is at the Green Mill tonight. Skinny Williams is at Joe's Bebop Café and Jazz Emporium. David Sanchez and his Melaza sextet are at the Jazz Showcase.

The Asian American Jazz series continues at HotHouse tonight with Trio Nihilo, Yoko Noge and the Jazz Me Blues Band and Azumi. Musician-historian George Yoshida will lecture earlier in the evening at the Museum of Contemporary Art on "Whispering Sidewalks," a rare Japanese jazz and tap musical film from 1936, and show excepts from the original version.

In New Orleans tonight, Los Hombres Calientes open for Widespread Panic tonight at the UNO Lakefront Arena. Charmaine Neville and Amasa Miller are at Cobalt. The Potholes Brass band is at Donna's. Fredy Omar's salsa band is at El Matador. The James Rivers Movement is at the Fine Arts Center. Soulive is at the House of Blues. Thais Clark and her New Orleans Jazzmen are at the Palm Court.

Pete Fountain is in the spotlight at his club. Trumpeter Leroy Jones leads the band at Preservation Hall. Pianist Ellis Marsalis is at Snug Harbor. Singer Wanda Rouzan is at the Storyville District Jazz Parlor. Donald Harrison is at Sweet Lorraine's. Sherman and the ReBirth Brass Band are at Tipitina's Uptown for a funk meets brass band evening.

This year's San Francisco Jazz Festival will run a bit longer than usual. Tonight's scheduled Masonic Auditorium concert featuring R&B queen Etta James and Joe Luis Walker has been postponed to Saturday, Nov. 17, due to temporary illness. Tickets to tonight's concert will be honored on the new date.

Also in the Bay Area, Sharon McKnight is at the Plush Room and the Walter Savage ensemble is at Pearl's in San Francisco. Hiroshima is at Yoshi's in Oakland, Alex Bugnon is at Kimball's East in Emeryville.

Elsewhere on the California jazz scene, Keith Jarrett's trio with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette is at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Juan Carlos Quintero is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood tonight through Sunday. Guitarist Frank Potenza and pianist Shelly berg bring their quartet into Steamers Jazz Café in Fullerton tonight. The Steve Czarnecki Soul Jazz Quintet is at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz. The Larry Vuckovich trio is at Spiedo Ristorante in San Jose.

Drummer Chico Hamilton is at the Jockey Club of Sao Paulo in Brazil.

On the recording front...

Tenor saxophonists Plas Johnson and Red Holloway have locked horns in a jazz tenor battle with a blues twist on "Keep That Groove Going!," released this week by the Milestone label. The quintet session teamed them with guitarist Melvin Sparks and drummer Kenny Washington. They will celebrate its release with a bluesy tenor summit at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles November 23-25.