Today is Feb. 14.
Bass player Jack Lesberg was born this day in 1920 in Boston. From 1945 to 1950, he had a double career in New York. He played bass in the New York Symphony Orchestra under direction of Leonard Bernstein, and played jazz at Eddie Condon's nightclub.
Pianist Dwike Mitchell was born this day in 1930 in Dunedin, Fla. In 1955, a year after his first professional opportunity in the Lionel Hampton band, he formed the Mitchell-Ruff Duo with bass player, and former Army band mate, Willie Ruff.
Grammy-winning big bandleader and trombonist Rob McConnell was born this day in London, Canada, in 1935. He is a prolific musician with a solid gold reputation around the world.
On this day in 1928, the Tommy Dorsey band made its first recordings for the Okeh label.
Anita O'Day joined Gene Krupa's band on this Valentine's Day in 1941. During three years with Krupa, and two more with the early Stan Kenton band, she established her national reputation as a singer.
Looking at today's hip happenings...
On the New York jazz scene. tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders is special guest with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra tonight and again on Saturday for an Alice Tully Hall concert celebrating "A Love Supreme - The Music of John Coltrane."
Singer Jimmy Scott is at Birdland tonight through Saturday. Cassandra Wilson is at the Blue Note. Trumpeter Clark Terry's quintet is scheduled at the Village Vanguard. Trombonist Chris Washburne's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, its Thursday night home for nearly eight years. The Jazz Passengers are at the Knitting Factory tonight, along with Michael Blake¹s Elevated Quartet with special guest Mauro Refosco.
The Eli Degibri Quartet with Aaron Goldberg and Ben Street is at the Jazz Gallery tonight. The Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra performs tonight at Borden Auditorium with a program that includes compositions by Manny Albam, Mike Abene and Phil Markowitz.
In and around Boston, singer Abbey Lincoln is at Scullers jazz club tonight through Saturday. Tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker's quartet is at the Regattabar in Cambridge tonight through Sunday. Singer Toni Ballard is at Ryles in Cambridge tonight. Singer-pianist Paul Broadnax is at Harry's Too in Westborough. Drummer Steve Langone's band is at Les Zygomates in Boston.
Vibes player Stefon Harris delivers the Berklee College of Music's Fifth Annual Dr. Warrick L. Carter Lecture this afternoon as part of Black History Month. He will also perform with pianist Xavier Davis.
The Scott Hamilton group is at Chan's in Woonsocket, R.I., tonight and Friday.
Singer Jeanne Brooks joins the Mark Kramer trio at Chris's Jazz Café in Philadelphia tonight.
Bassist Ron Brooks' trio performs tonight at the Bird of Paradise in Ann Arbor, Mich., as a fund-raiser for public radio jazz station WEMU, whose staff will wait tables for the evening.
On the Chicago jazz scene, Scott Hall is at the Jazz Showcase tonight through Sunday. The Mike Smith-Ron Friedman quintet is at Andy's tonight. Dee Alexander is at HotHouse tonight. Erwin Helfer and the Chicago Boogie Ensemble are at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium. The Nicole Kastier quartet is at Pops for Champagne. John Wright is at Philander's in Oak Park.
In New Orleans tonight, trumpeter Leon Brown's quintet is at Donna's. Ingrid Lucia and the Flying Neutrinos are at El Matador. Jeremy Davenport's band is at the Ritz Carlton's French Quarter Bar. The Five O'Clock Charlie organ combo is at the Funky Butt. The Soul Rebels Brass Band is at Le Bon Temps Roule.
John Brunious leads the band at Preservation Hall. The Panorama Jazz Band is at the Spotted Cat. Singer John Boutte is at the Storyville District Jazz Parlor. Kermit Ruffins brings his Barbecue Swingers into Vaughn's. Harry Connick Sr. is at Cobalt. Rick Trolsen is at Dos Jefes. Trumpeter Leroy Jones is at Snug Harbor tonight.
On the California jazz scene, saxophonist Chris Potter's quartet at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. Trumpeter Roy Hargrove's quintet is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood. Singer Nancy Wilson is at Yoshi's in Oakland. Bassist David Friesen's quartet is at Steamer's Jazz Café in Fullerton.
Don Bennett and Jim Putnam are at Saylor's in Sausalito. Rick Vandivier is at the Hedley Club in San Jose. Wanda Stafford and the Si Perkoff Band are at the Panama Hotel & Restaurant in San Rafael. The Graham Richards quartet is at Anna's Bistro in Berkeley. The Larry Vuckovich trio is at the Spiedo Ristorante in San Jose.
In San Francisco tonight, Paula West is at The Plush Room. Dan Hicks and His Bayside Jazz Band are at Enrico's. Bryce Rohde is at the Bix Restaurant and Supper Club. Andrew Speight is backed by the Vince Lateano trio at Jazz at Pearl's. The Jazz Knights are at the Pier 23 Café.
