Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is March 3.

Clarinetist Barney Bigard was born this day in New Orleans in 1906. After cutting his musical teeth with King Oliver's band in Chicago, he became a Duke Ellington Orchestra mainstay, playing in the band from 1927 to 1942.

Bass player Jimmy Garrison was born this day in 1934 in Miami. A powerful rhythm player and soloist, Garrison was a member of the John Coltrane Quartet from 1961 to 1966.

This was the day, in 1937, when Benny Goodman opened his historic run at the Paramount Theater in New York. It was an unusual time for the band and the Swing Era, with kids dancing in the aisles in near-riot conditions.

On this day in 1940, Artie Shaw recorded "Frenesi" at the RCA Victor studio in Hollywood with his big band, augmented by 13 string players. The arrangement came from a tune he heard during a six-week convalescence in Mexico from a serious blood disease. "Frenesi" became a big hit and forced Shaw back on the road with his touring band. "Frenesi" was written by Alberto Dominiguez.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, Ray Barretto and New World Spirit and Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band wind down week one of the Blue Note's month-long Latin Jazz Festival tonight. Pianist Geri Allen's trio is at Iridium and bassist Ray Drummond's quartet is at the Village Vanguard. Trombonist Chris Washburne's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is uptown at Smoke tonight. Guitarist Peter Leitch and alto saxophonist Pete Yellin team up tonight at Walker's.

In and around Boston, saxophonist Wayne Shorter's quartet with Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade is at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston tonight. Trumpeter Johnny Souza is at Ricky T's in Plymouth with Al Vega, Dave Zox and Boston drumming marvel Bobby Ward.

The Cleveland jazz schedule tonight includes a Saturday night fish fry concert at Reinberger Chamber Hall. It's a tribute to late saxophonist Stanley Turrentine featuring saxophonist Houston Person, guitarist Russell Malone, drummer Grady Tate and organ player Hank Marr.

On the Chicago jazz scene, Pat Martino winds down his run at the Jazz Showcase tonight. Patti Lupo performs this afternoon as part of Women in Jazz -- Cabin Fever Jazz Series at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest, Ill.

In New Orleans tonight, drummer Shannon Powell and Friends team up with singer Topsy Chapman at Donna's. Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews' Brass Band is at the Maple Leaf. Lucien Barbarin and the Sunday Night Swingsters are at the Palm Court. Harold "Duke" Dejean's Olympia Brass Band is at Preservation Hall. Kirk Ford is at the Storyville District Jazz Parlor tonight. Germaine Bazzle, Al Belletto, June Gardner and Don Jamison team up for a "New Orleans Music in Transition lecture this afternoon at St. Mark's Church.

On the California jazz scene, singer Phil Perry and the Yellowjackets are special guests with the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra tonight at UCLA's Royce Hall. They'll perform commissioned new works by Tom Scott and Lesa Terry. Scott and Mitch Glickman are musical directors of the L.A.-based Symphonic Jazz Orchestra.

Tenor saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman's band is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. Drummer Dave Weckl's band is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood. Susie Hansen's Latin jazz band performs this afternoon at Fisherman's Village in Marina del Rey.

The Ed Johnson trio is at the Mirassou Winery in Berkeley this afternoon. Bobby Short and his Orchestra are at Yoshi's in Oakland for matinee and evening performances. The Alcatraz Angels Jazz Band is at Dick's Restaurant in San Leandro this afternoon.

The Al Plank quartet is at the Hyatt St. Claire's Palm Room in San Jose tonight. The Marcos Silva quartet is at the Jazzschool in Berkeley this afternoon. Steve Smith and Vital Information perform this afternoon for the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society in Half Moon Bay. Mo'Fone is at Cato's Ale House in Oakland tonight. Spyro Gyra is at Kimball's East in Emeryville.

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

Trumpeter Ray Vega's Latin jazz quintet is at the Casino in Aachen, Germany, tonight.