Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Aug. 6.

Pianist and bandleader Luis Russell was born this day in 1902 in Careening Cay, Panama. In the 1930s, he led a hot band in Harlem's Saratoga Club. Sidemen included Henry "Red" Allen, Paul Barbarin and Albert Nicholas, and a decade later, young drummer Roy Haynes.

Dixieland trombonist Vic Dickenson was born this day in 1906 in Xenia, Ohio. He was one of the first trombonists to bring humorous techniques to the slide horn. He died in 1984.

Singer-actress Abbey Lincoln was born this day in 1930 in Chicago. Her warm, gentle poetic style has won her legions of new fans in recent years.

Jazz impresario Norman Granz was born this day in 1918 in Los Angeles. He started the historic Jazz at the Philharmonic tours in the 1940s, founded the Clef, Norgran, Verve and Pablo record labels, and managed the career of singer Ella Fitzgerald.

Bass player and bandleader Charlie Haden was born this day in 1937 in Shenandoah, Iowa. This riveting soloist and bandleader first received critical attention as a member of the classic Ornette Coleman quartet.

West Coast "cool jazz" saxophonist Buddy Collette was born this day in 1921 in Los Angeles.

Tenor saxophonist Ravi Coltrane was born this day in 1965, two years before the death of his father, the great John Coltrane.

On this day in 1931, cornet marvel Bix Beiderbecke died in New York City after his health deteriorated from alcoholism. He was 27.

This also was the day, in 1937, when singer Maxine Sullivan recorded her best-known hit, "Loch Lomond," in New York for the Vocalian label.

On this night in 2001, singer Tierney Sutton celebrated the release of her new Telarc Jazz compact disc "Blue in Green" at Yoshi's in Oakland, Calif., with the Christian Jacob trio.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... bassist Charlie Haden is at the Blue Note for a two-week duo celebration with Kenny Barron for the next three nights, then Geri Allen, Paul Bley, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Brad Mehldau. Dianne Reeves is at the Village Vanguard through Sunday with pianist Peter Martin, bassist Ruben Rogers, and drummer Greg Hutchinson. The Steve Lacy-Roswell Rudd quartet is at Iridium this week.

Singer Luciana Souza is at the Jazz Standard all week... three nights with guitarist Romero Lubambo, followed by three nights with her quintet. The Duke Ellington Orchestra directed by Paul Mercer Ellington and Jack Jeffers is at Birdland tonight. Package and Johnny Almendra and Los Jovenes del Barrio are at the Hudson River Festival tonight in Wagner Park.

Singer Curtis Stigers is at Scullers in Boston tonight.

On the Chicago area jazz scene... drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts quartet is at the Jazz Showcase through Sunday. Jimmy Sutton's Four Charms are at the Green Mill. Ken Cheney is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium tonight. Marshall Vente is at Philander's in Oak Park tonight.

In New Orleans... Moyaba is at the Blue Nile tonight. John Rankin and Company are at the Columns Hotel. New Orleans Streetbeat is at the Crescent City Brewhouse. Tom Hook is at Dos Jefes. Maurice Brown's Hot Eight is at the Funky Butt. Louis Ford is at Satchmo's jazz room in Harrah's casino. Darrell Levigne and Larry Sieberth are at Le Salon at Windsor Court. The ReBirth Brass Band is at the Maple Leaf. Greg Stafford leads the band tonight at Preservation Hall. Delfeayo Marsalis is at Snug Harbor. The Ian McPhail quintet is at the Spotted Cat. The Joe Krown Organ Combo is at d.b.a. tonight.

On the California jazz scene... the Ron Kobayashi trio with special guest Debbi Ebert is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton tonight. The Frank Abraham-Jared Schonig Big Band is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. Ledisi is at Yoshi's in Oakland. The Stanford Jazz Festival in Palo Alto features the Jovino Santos Neto quintet tonight. In San Francisco, Alan Steger is at the Bix Restaurant and Supper Club and the Vince Lateano trio featuring pianist Art Khu is at Jazz at Pearl's.

Jane Monheit and her band are at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle tonight and Wednesday.

Omar Sosa and Gustavo Ovalles perform together tonight at Fitou, near Perpignan, France.

On the recording front...

Drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts is out today with his latest recording, "Bar Talk," on the Sony Music label. It teams him with saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, bassist James Genus, pianist David Budway, guitarist Paul Bollenback and Swedish harmonica player Gregoire Maret. Guest soloists include Branford Marsalis, Michael Brecker, Hiram Bullock, Joey Calderazzo, Henry Hey, Robert Thomas Jr., and new singer Juan Tainish.

Tuck and Patti, whose personal and professional association now dates back 24 years, are out today with their ninth album, "Chocolate Moment." Patti Cathcart says the album title was inspired by today's need to slow down and enjoy the moment. She says "a chocolate moment is that second where you eat that great piece of chocolate, and you're just going 'mmmm.'" All of the songs are originals. It's on T&P Records.