Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Feb. 15.

Trumpeter and singer Taft Jordan was born this day in 1915 in Florence, S.C. The Chick Webb, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman sideman died in New York in 1981.

Pianist Kirk Lightsey was born this day in 1937 in Detroit. This busy free-lance musician, once a member of the Chet Baker quintet, has been based in Paris for several years.

Saxophonist and bandleader Henry Threadgill was born in Chicago on this day in 1944.

On this day in 1965, world lost singer and pianist Nat "King Cole to lung cancer. Long before he became a popular singer, Cole was a brilliant piano player who set the style for many other jazz players. He also began the drumless trio format of piano, bass and guitar soon adopted by Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson.

This was also the day, in 1941, when Duke Ellington first recorded "Take the 'A' Train." The tune was recorded in Los Angeles for Victor Records and quickly became Ellington's theme song. Ellington however was not its composer. The song came from his musical partner Billy Strayhorn.

Songwriter Harold Arlen, the man who wrote the unforgettable tunes for "The Wizard of Oz," was born this day in 1905 in Buffalo, N.Y.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, Cassandra Wilson is at the Blue Note. Jimmy Scott is at Birdland. Dee Dee Bridgewater is at Iridium. Trumpeter Clark Terry's quintet is scheduled at the Village Vanguard through Sunday. Saxophonist Yosvany Terry's quintet is at the Jazz Gallery tonight for a CD release celebration for his new recording "Twisted Noon." Michael Blake¹s Elevated Quartet is at the Knitting Factory with special guest David Tronzo.

Norman Hedman's Tropique performs this evening at the American Museum of Natural History's Rose Center for Earth and Space as part of its "Starry Nights: Friday Under the Sphere" series.

Moving upstate, pianist Jacky Terrasson's trio is at The Van Dyck in Schenectady tonight.

Bassist Santi Debriano's band is at Trumpets in Montclair, N.J., tonight.

On the Boston jazz scene, violinist Regina Carter and vibes player Stefon Harris are at the Berklee Pertformance Center with their bands tonight as part of the FleetBoston Celebrity Series. Singer Patricia Adams is at Ryles in Cambridge tonight. Singer Rebecca Parris is at the Stoneham Theatre with her quartet.

In Philadelphia, the Jazz Mandolin Project is at the Trocadero Theatre tonight. Steve Gordano's quintet is at Chris's Jazz Café. Doc Gibbs and Picante featuring Jon Lucien are at Zanzibar Blue tonight and Saturday. Nueva Visiones featuring drummer Adam Cruz, bassist John Benitez and trumpeter Ray Vega will perform tonight at The Philadelphia Museum of Art'a Great Stair Hall.

Tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander is at Twins Lounge in Washington, D.C., tonight and Saturday.

Saxophonist Walter Beasley is at Tangier in Akron, Ohio, tonight.

Rolando Matias' Afro-Rican Ensemble is at the Bird of Paradise in Ann Arbor, Mich., tonight and Saturday.

On the Chicago jazz scene, the Franz Jackson-Sonny Turner quintet is at Andy's for the jazz at noon series today, while the Katherine Davis group is on tonight. Chicago Samba is at HotHouse. Scott Hall is at the Jazz Showcase. Skinny Williams is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium. The King Fleming trio is at Philander's in Oak Park.

In New Orleans tonight, the Mighty Muddy Jazz Band is at the Blue Nile. Charmaine Neville is at Cobalt. The Treme Brass Band is at Donna's. Jeremy Davenport is at the Ritz Carlton's French Quarter Bar. Adonis Rose and Devin Phillips are at the Funky Butt. Have Soul Will Travel is at Le Bon Temps Roule. Ingrid Lucia and the Flying Neutrinos are at the Old Point. Thais Clark and the New Orleans Jazzmen are at the Palm Court Jazz Café.

Clarinetist Pete Fountain is at his club in the New Orleans Hilton. Leroy Jones leads the band at Preservation Hall. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers are at the Red Room tonight. Wanda Rouzan is at the Storyville District Jazz Parlor. Delfeayo Marsalis's band is at Snug Harbor. Blue Orleans is at the Bottom Line.

The second annual Newport Beach Jazz Party gets under way tonight at the Newport Beach, Calif., Marriott Hotel and Tennis Club. Tonight's headliners include Ann Hampton Callaway, the Jeff Hamilton trio and the Clayton Brothers quintet. Other talent this weekend includes the Lewis Nash trio, Houston Person quartet, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Maiden Voyage, Rickey Woodard quintet, Mike Wofford-Holly Hofmann quartet. Also, Dan Barrett, Frank Capp, Bill Cunliffe, Ingrid Jensen, Ken Peplowski, Stacy Rowles, Peter Washington, Steve Nelson and Gerry Wiggins.

Elsewhere 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. Valerie Joi Fiddmont is at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz.

Tony Guererro's Swingfest with Elizabeth Lamers is at Steamer's Jazz Café in Fullerton. Noel Jewkes, Larry Vuckovich, Nat Johnson and Hank Uribe are at the Spiedo Ristorante in San Jose. Guitarist Joyce Cooling is at the Amador Theater in Pleasanton. Primary Colors with Nate Pruitt is at the Hedley Club in San Jose.

In San Francisco, the Brian Melvin trio is at Rubicon this afternoon. Anna Kristina is at Enrico's tonight. The George Khouri trio is at the Bix Restaurant and Supper Club. The Black Market Jazz Orchestra is at the Top of the Mark. The Fred Horn quartet is at Jazz at Pearl's. The Josh Jones Ensemble is at Bruno's. Lavay Smith and Her Red-Hot Skillet Lickers are at Café du Nord.