Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Nov. 2.

Trumpeter Bunny Berigan was born this day in 1908 in Hilbert, Wis. His distinctive, uninhibited playing style graced many important big bands during the 1930s, including those of Paul Whiteman, the Dorsey Brothers and Benny Goodman. Berigan died in New York in June 1942. He was 33.

Composer, arranger and bandleader Johnny Richards was born this day in 1911 in Queretaro State in Mexico and was raised in upstate New York. This progressive jazz pioneer led his own big band during the early 1940s. In 1952, he joined Stan Kenton, for whom he wrote many pieces. His song "Young at Heart" was a 1954 hit for Frank Sinatra. He also led his own bands again from 1956 to 1960 and in 1964 and 1965. Johnny Richards died in New York in 1968.

Alto saxophonist Phil Woods was born this date in 1931 in Springfield, Mass. Woods has been leading his own acoustic quintet for the past 30 years.

Alto saxophonist Herb Geller, formerly a Claude Thornhill and Benny Goodman sideman, was born this day in 1928 in Los Angeles.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, tenor saxophonist Ravi Coltrane's quartet is at The Jazz Gallery tonight and Saturday. Trumpeter Randy Sandke is featured today in the Jazz at Noon series at Café St. Bart's. Singer Joan Bender is at Kavehaz tonight with her quartet.

In and around Boston, the Kubota Power Jazz Unit is at The Good Life in Cambridge, singer Teresa Ines' quartet is at the Regattabar in Cambridge, Patricia Adams' quartet is at Ryles jazz club in Cambridge. Walter Beasley is at Scullers jazz club in Boston, and drummer John Lamkin's quartet is at Wally's Jazz Paradise. Saxophonist Dick Johnson teams up with pianist Al Vega tonight at Café Italia in East Boston. Vibes player Matthias Lupri's Group is at the Acton Jazz Café. Drummer Bob Gullotti's quartet is at Mama Josie's in Waltham tonight and Saturday.

Pianist Laszlo Gardony's trio is at the Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap, Pa., tonight.

Singer Allan Harris is at the Bird of Paradise in Ann Arbor, Mich., tonight and Saturday.

On the New Orleans jazz scene, the Jason Furman jazz quartet is at the Audubon Club. Funk'n Horns featuring Stephen Walker is at Donna's Bar and Grill. Thais Clark and her New Orleans Jazzmen are at the Palm Court. Pete Fountain is in the spotlight at his club in the New Orleans Hilton. Trumpeter Leroy Jones leads the band at Preservation Hall tonight. Two Pan Sam is at Silky O'Sullivan's. Pianist Ellis Marsalis is at Snug Harbor. The Jazz Mandolin Project is at Tipitina's Uptown. The Porgy Jones quintet is at the Jazz National Historic Park this afternoon.

The 19th annual San Francisco Jazz Festival continues tonight with two high profile events, plus a jazz and salsa club evening. Grace Cathedral is the scene of this year's "Sacred Space" concert by saxophonist Charles Lloyd and Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain. Lloyd will premiere a new major work dedicated to late drummer Billy Higgins. Bimbo's 365 Club features Manolìn "El Medico de la Salsa" and his band and Jesus Diaz and his QBA band.

Elsewhere on the California jazz scene, Stanley Clarke's band is at Yoshi's in Oakland. The Dick Conte trio is at Pairs Restaurant in Napa tonight. San Francisco singer Jacqui Naylor is at Steamer's Jazz Café in Fullerton tonight.

Jazz Expo, a three-day presentation by the Canadian International Jazz Convention, get underway today in Toronto at the Queen Elizabeth Complex within the Canadian National Exhibition grounds. This international music summit will feature lectures and seminars by industry leaders on important initiatives, clinics and workshops by leading professionals. There will also be a marketplace for instruments, sheet music and music accessories, and more than 30 live concerts.

Cuban composer and pianist Omar Sosa's septet performs tonight at L'Usine in Istres, France.