Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Dec. 18.

Bandleader Fletcher Henderson was born this day in 1897 in Cuthbert, Ga. His transformation of his popular 1920s dance band into a swing orchestra was the role model for the big bands America came to love. During his lifetime, Henderson got little of the recognition he deserved for his many musical innovations and contributions. Some amends were made in 1994 when Columbia Records released an important and well-researched boxed set of recordings. It was aptly titled "A Study in Frustration, The Fletcher Henderson Story."

Singer Anita O'Day was born this day in 1919 in Chicago. Her national reputation came in the early 1940s in the Gene Krupa band, and was solidified with her "Jazz on a Summer's Day" performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958.

Alto saxophonist Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, a player equally at home in jazz and rhythm-and-blues settings, was born this day in 1917 in Houston, Texas.

Tenor saxophonist Harold Land was born this day in 1928 in Houston. He first toured nationally in 1954 and 1955 with the Max Roach-Clifford Brown Quintet.

Vocalist Chris Murrell, vocalist with the Count Basie Orchestra for the past few years, was born this day in 1956.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, pianist Chick Corea opens the final week of his diversified three-week run at the Blue Note in celebration of his 60th birthday. He performs piano duets with Herbie Hancock tonight and Wednesday, with his new trio with Avishai Cohen and Jeff Ballard on Thursday and Friday and in a quartet with Michael Brecker, Eddie Gomez and Steve Gadd on Saturday and Sunday.

Pianist Kenny Barron's trio is at Iridium tonight through Sunday. Saxophonist Jackie McLean and the Cedar Walton trio team up this week at the Village Vanguard. Tenor saxophonist John Stubblefield and Quiet Fire are at the Zinc Bar tonight and Wednesday.

Pianist Eddie Palmieri's Afro-Caribbean Jazz Orchestra is at Birdland tonight, preceded by an early evening set featuring David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Centennial Band. Annette Aguilar and her Latin jazz band Stringbeans are at the Sugar Bar tonight.

In the Boston area, guitarist Bruce Bartlett's trio is at Ryles in Cambridge, Mass., tonight. The Blue Horizon Jazz Band is at the Sherborn Inn. Tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi is at the Acton Jazz Café.

In and around Philadelphia tonight, Dave Koz, Peter White, Brenda Russell, David Benoit and Rick Braun bring their Smooth Jazz Christmas tour to the Keswick Theater in Glenside. There's a jam session at Ortlieb's. The Cartoon Christmas Trio is at the Iron Hill Brewery in Media.

On the Chicago jazz scene, Carlos Cannon is at the Backroom. Pianist Marshall Vente's trio is at the Fairmont Hotel's Metropole Room. Ken Saydak is at Pops for Champagne. Von Freeman is at the New Apartment Lounge.

In New Orleans tonight, the Jazz Vipers are at El Matador. Drummer James Alsanders' Jazz Project is at the Funky Butt. The ReBirth Brass band is at the Maple Leaf. Trumpeter Gregory Stafford leads the band at Preservation Hall. KHORE is at Snug Harbor. Sharon Martin is in the spotlight at the Storyville District Jazz Parlor. Pianist John Royen is at Sweet Kathleen's tonight.

In California tonight, tenor saxophonist Benny Golson's quartet is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight through Saturday. The Art Davis quartet featuring Doug Webb, Tootie Heath and William Henderson is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood tonight and Wednesday. The Chris Williams quartet is at Steamer's Jazz Café in Fullerton tonight.

Guitarist Charlie Hunter and friends are at Yoshi's in Oakland all week. In San Francisco, the Mark Stock trio with Gary Rowe is at the Cypress Club, the Hot Club of San Francisco band is at Enrico's and Ledisi is at The Plush Room.

On the recording front...

-- Pianist Fred Hersch's "Songs Without Words" three-CD boxed set has been named Recording of the Year by the French Academie du Jazz. Nonesuch Records released he project, in which Hersch put his touch on three distinct groups of compositions. Volume one contains re-interpretations of songs by Cole Porter. Volume two is a collection of classic tunes by great jazz composers including Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Wayne Shorter. Volume three features a new set of six original solo piano pieces plus new takes on some Hersch's best-known compositions.