Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Feb. 17.

Clarinetist Buddy DeFranco was born this day in 1923 in Camden, N.J.

Pianist and songwriter Alec Wilder was born this day in 1907 in Rochester, N.Y. His compositions included "The Lady Sings The Blues" and "I'll Be Around." He also wrote the definitive book called "American Popular Song." Alec Wilder died in 1980.

On this day in 1938, Slim Gaillard and Slam Stewart recorded their hit nonsense jive-talk song "Flatfoot Floogie."

This was also the day, in 1955, when cornetist Ruby Braff and pianist Ellis Larkins recorded their historic Village Vanguard duets. They followed it with a "Grand Reunion" recording on the Chiaroscuro label in 1972.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, Cassandra Wilson winds down her weeklong run at the Blue Note tonight. Dee Dee Bridgewater is at Iridium. Trumpeter Clark Terry's quintet is at the Village Vanguard tonight. Trombonist Chris Washburne's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is at Smoke.

Slide trumpeter Steven Bernstein is special guest with Blake Tartare tonight at the Knitting Factory. The Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band is at Birdland. Guitarist Peter Leitch and tenor saxophonist Jed Levy team up tonight at Walker's.

Singer Karrin Allyson performs this afternoon at William Paterson University's Jazz Room series at the Shea Center for the Performing Arts in Wayne, N.J.

Pianist Uri Caine's Goldberg Variations Octet performs tonight at the Buckley Recital Hall at Amherst College in Amherst, Mass.

The Northeast Ohio Jazz Society Jazz Klatch begins its 2002 season this afternoon with "Ornette Coleman: The Shape of Jazz to Come NOW." It will take place at the Noble Road branch of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, with Jim Szabo of WRUW-FM hosting.

In and around Chicago, the Cabin Fever Jazz Series featuring women in jazz continues this afternoon with Jackie Allen at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest. Scott Hall is at the Jazz Showcase tonight. The Sonny Turner quintet is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium. Kara Kesselring is at Philander's in Oak Park.

On the New Orleans jazz scene, singer Topsy Chapman joins drummer Shannon Powell and friends tonight at Donna's. David Dunbar and Southern Peach Sweet Tart are at El Matador. Andrew Baham and Robin Boudreaux are at the Funky Butt tonight. Troy Andrews is at the Maple Leaf tonight with his Trombone Shorty Brass Band. Harold 'Duke' Dejean's Olympia Brass Band is at Preservation Hall. Barbara Shorts is at the Storyville District Jazz Parlor. Sweet Lorraine's Sunday jam session features Adonis Rose, Peter Martin, Roland Guerin, Brice Winston and special guests.

The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra headlines this final day and night of the 2nd annual Newport Beach Jazz Party at the Newport Beach, Calif., Marriott Hotel and Tennis Club.

Elsewhere on the California jazz scene, saxophonist Chris Potter's quartet finishes out its week at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. Trumpeter Roy Hargrove's quintet is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood for one more night. Singer Nancy Wilson is at Yoshi's in Oakland this afternoon and evening. Gary Rowe is at the Downtown restaurant in Berkeley. Eugene Huggins and Chris Goddard are at Saylor's in Sausalito. The Philip Greenlief trio is at Catos's Ale House in Oakland.

In San Francisco tonight, Kim Nalley and Paula West are at the Plush Room. Ricardo Scales and Friends are at the Top of the Mark. Don Asher is at the Bix Restaurant and Supper Club.

For those who prefer their Sunday jazz matinee-style, the Alcatraz Angels Jazz Band is at Dick's Restaurant in San Leandro. Saxophonist Anton Schwartz is at the Mirassou Winery in San Jose. The Calvin Keys trio is at the Palm Room at the Hyatt St. Claire in San Jose. Mal Sharpe's Big Money in Dixieland band is at the No Name Bar in Sausalito. Jules Broussard is at Sweetwater in Mill Valley. Drummer Kenny Washington's quartet is at The Jazzschool in Berkeley. The David Friesen quartet performs for the Bach Dancing and Dynamite society in Half Moon Bay.

The Marcus Miller band is at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle tonight.