Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is March 21.

Pianist Sir Charles Thompson was born this day in 1918 in Springfield, Ohio. He left Midwest territory bands in the 1930s to join Lionel Hampton, then small groups on the New York club scene. In 1947, Thompson joined the band of Illinois Jacquet, who recorded his most popular composition "Robbins' Nest."

This was also the day, in 1952, when trumpeter Clifford Brown made his first recording. It was with a jazz-tinged Philadelphia rhythm and blues group called Chris Powell and The Blue Flames. In June 1953, Brownie cut his first jazz sides with trombonist J.J. Johnson.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene, pianist Frank Kimbrough's trio is featured tonight in the Jazz Composers Collective Festival series at The Jazz Standard. Singer Kurt Elling is at Birdland through Saturday. Trombonist Chris Washburne's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is at the Nuyorican Poets Café tonight. Singer Carol Sloane is at the Village Vanguard with pianist Norman Simmons, bassist Paul West, drummer Winard Harper and guitarist Paul Bollenback. Pianist McCoy Tyner's trio is joined by special guest Bobby Hutcherson at Iridium. Gato Barbieri's band is at the Blue Note this week.

Bill Charlap and Ted Rosenthal team up tonight in the Jazz Gallery's month-long dual piano series. Karl Denson's Tiny Universe is at the Hammerstein Ballroom tonight with Nikka Costa, Ozomatli, Blackalicious and Saul Williams. Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are at B.B. King's Blues Club tonight.

Junior Mance is at the Knickerbocker. Billy Martin is at Tonic. Arturo O'Farrill's Latin jazz quintet performs at Public School 108 in the Bronx today as part of Jazz at Lincoln Center's 7th annual Jazz in the Schools series. There's also an evening concert tonight at Public School 229 in Queens.

Singer Jane Monheit performs tonight through Sunday at the Mohegan Arena at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.

In and around Boston, guitarist John Abercrombie is at Johnny D's in Somerville tonight with bassist Marc Johnson, violinist Mark Feldman and drummer Joey Baron. Maureen McGovern is at Scullers jazz club tonight and Friday. Janis Siegel is at the Regattabar tonight with pianist Eric Reed, bassist Vincente Archer, and drummer Carl Allen.

Pianist Jean-Michel Pilc's trio is at Chris's Jazz Café in Philadelphia tonight.

Los Hombres Calientes are at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., tonight and Friday.

Boleros Perdidos perform tonight at the Bass Museum in Miami Beach. The band teams violinist Alfredo Triff with guitarist Ahmed Barroso, conga player Daniel Ponce, bassist Alex Berti and singer Roberto Poveda.

On the Chicago jazz scene, Herbie Hancock's future 2 future band is at the House of Blues tonight. The Rob Freidman quintet is at Andy's. The Juli Wood trio is at California Clipper. Pianist Cyrus Chestnut's trio is at the Jazz Showcase. Erwin Helfer and the Chicago Boogie Ensemble are at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium tonight. The Jeff Parker trio is at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston. Temple Schultz is at Philander's in Oak Park.

In New Orleans tonight, trumpeter Wendell Brunious is at Dos Jefes. Ingrid Lucia and the Flying Neutrinos are at El Matador. Jeremy Davenport is at the Ritz Carlton's French Quarter Bar. The Soul Rebels Brass Band is at Le Bon Temps Roule. Ron Jones is at Le Meridien. The Crescent City Joymakers are at the Palm Court with ex-Ink Spot Lloyd Washington. John Brunioius leads the band at Preservation Hall. The Al Balletto Orchestra, featuring Leif Pederson, is at the Red Room. Pianist Lynne Arriale is at Snug Harbor. Joe Krown's organ combo is at the Storyville District Jazz Parlor. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers are at Vaughn's.

On the California jazz scene, the Pat Metheny Group is at Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium tonight. Toots Thielemans and Kenny Werner are at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood. Guitarist Stanley Jordan is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. Wanda Stafford and the Si Perkoff Band are at the Panama Hotel and Restaurant in San Rafael. John Scofield's band is at Yoshi's in Oakland. Susan Krebs is at Steamer's Jazz Café in Fullerton. Nils Molin is at Main Street Station in Guerneville.

The SFJazz Spring series features pianist Marilyn Crispell's trio and drummer Susie Ibarra's quartet at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater. Elsewhere in San Francisco, Paula West is at the Plush Room. Kim Nalley is at Butterfly. Charles McNeal and the Vince Lateano trio are Jazz at Pearl's. The Broun Fellinis are at Bruno's.

The David S. Ware quartet and the Joe Lovano trio perform tonight at the Vaulx Jazz Festival in Vaulx-en-Velin, France.