Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Jan. 13.

New Orleans guitarist Danny Barker, a mentor to many emerging players during his long career, was born this day in 1909. He also was a major force in reviving New Orleans's brass band scene in the 1980s. Barker died in 1994.

Guitarist Joe Pass, one of singer Ella Fitzgerald's favorite accompanists, was born this day in 1929. He died in 1994.

Trombonist Quentin "Butter" Jackson was born in 1909 in Springfield, Ohio. He got his nickname "Butter" from arranger and bandleader Don Redman, not for his smooth horn sound, but because he was chubby in size. Quentin Jackson's career included long stints with Don Redman, Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington.

Jazz arranger and former trombonist Melba Liston was born this day in 1926 in Kansas City, Mo. She suffered a stroke in 1985, which severely restricted her musical activities but remained active as a writer and arranger until her death in 1999.

On this day in 2001, the National Endowment for the Arts honored saxophonist Jackie McLean and pianists John Lewis and Randy Weston as American Jazz Masters for their lifetime contributions to music.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, singer Kevin Mahogany is in the spotlight tonight at Birdland. Dianne Reeves and Brad Mehldau are featured tonight at the B.B. King Blues Club. Bassist Buster Williams' quartet is at the Village Vanguard. Bassist Christian McBride's quartet is at Iridium. Monty Alexander's quartet with special guest Les McCann winds down its run at the Blue Note tonight. Guitarist Peter Leitch and Harvey S., the bassist formerly known as Harvey Swartz, team up tonight at Walker's. Trombonist Chris Washburn's SYOTOS band brings its hot brand of Latin jazz into Smoke on the Upper West Side. Singer Datevik Hovanesian and her trio will perform American, Brazilian standards and EthnoJazz compositions tonight at The Knitting Factory. Singer Joan Bender performs this afternoon at the Sunday jazz brunch at The Garage.

In and around Boston, singer Semenya McCord presents her 20th annual "Journey Into a Dream" musical tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., tonight at the Emmanuel Church in Boston. Drummer Brooke Sofferman celebrates his new Summit Records CD "The Green Between" at the Center for the Arts in Natick tonight with Jerry Bergonzi as special guest.

On the Cleveland jazz scene, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker performs tonight at Reinberger Chamber Hall in a Northeast Ohio Jazz Society concert. Pianist Rock Wehrmann and vibes player Ron Busch team up this afternoon at Cleveland State University's Drinko Hall.

In Chicago tonight, tenor saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman winds down his weeklong run at the Jazz Showcase. The Sonny Turner quintet is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium. The Russell Rowe trio is at Pops for Champagne.

In New Orleans, the Rob Wagner trio is at the Circle Bar. Singer Topsy Chapman joins pianist David Torkanowsky and Friends at Donna's tonight. David Dunbar and Southern Peach Sweet Tart are at El Matador. Drummer Johnny Vidacovich's trio is at the Funky Butt. Harold 'Duke' Dejean's Olympia Brass Band is at Preservation Hall tonight. Saxophonist Brice Winston's quartet is at Snug Harbor. Barbara Shorts is in the spotlight at the Storyville District Jazz Parlor.

In California, the Golden Eagle Dixieland Jazz Band performs this afternoon at Steamers Jazz Café in Fullerton, while pianist Jon Mayer's trio is joined by special guest Mel Martin for the evening show. Charles Lloyd's quartet is at The Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood. Jacqui Naylor is at Yoshi's in Oakland tonight. Wesla Whitfield and Mike Greensill perform this afternoon and Lamont Ridgell is in the spotlight tonight at The Plush Room in San Francisco.

Johnny Frigo, Matt Glaser and Mark Feldman bring their Jazz Violin Summit to the Metropolitan Performing Arts Center in Spokane, Wash., this afternoon. Their band includes Dan McCollum on piano, Ed Schuller on bass and George Schuller on bass.

Bassist John Patitucci's band is at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle.