Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Sept. 4.

Pianist Meade Lux Lewis was born this day in 1905 in Chicago. He was the foremost boogie-woogie player of his time, and helped pioneer the style with cohort Albert Ammons in a most unusual setting during the Roaring '20s. Both men worked for a taxi company, and worked out their ideas on the owner's piano. They also teamed up with Pete Johnson in a historic 1938 "Spirituals to Swing" concert at Carnegie Hall that started an international boogie-woogie craze. Lewis died in 1964.

Trumpeter and arranger Gerald Wilson was born this day in 1918 in Shelby, Miss. He has been a big band leader, composer, arranger and fixture on the West Coast for more than 50 years, continuing to create wonderfully rich big band music that swings.

On this day in 1948, Miles Davis's path-breaking Nonet made its first public performance at the Royal Roost jazz club in New York. The nine-piece band relied on complex arrangements for a new texture that contrasted with the frantic urgency of bebop that dominated the jazz scene. The band played in public for just two weeks, but in that time signaled Davis's move into a vital style and musical vision of his own.

The other Nonet members were Michael Zwerin on trombone, Junior Collins on French horn, Bill Barber on tuba, Lee Konitz on alto sax, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, John Lewis on piano, Al McKibbon on bass and Max Roach on drums. Kenny Hagood was guest vocalist on several numbers.

On this night in 2001, violinist Regina Carter and pianist Kenny Barron brought their duo project into the Village Vanguard in New York.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... singer Mary Stallings is at the Village Vanguard this week with the Eric Reed trio. Soprano saxophonist Jane Bunnett is at the Jazz Standard through Thursday with her Spirits of Havana band. There's an all-star tribute to late bassist Ray Brown at the Blue Note this week. Sphere at Iridium through Sunday. Alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon's quartet is at the Zinc Bar tonight.

In and around Boston... the Kenny Wheeler-Andrew Rathbun quintet is at the The Regattabar in Cambridge, Mass., tonight. Drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts' band is at Scullers in Boston.

In Chicago... the Henry Johnson quartet is at Andy's. Mike Finnerty and the Jazz Hippies are at Cafe Ennui tonight. Ken Vandermark, Paul Lovens and Paul Lytton are at the Empty Bottle. The Bill Porter Orchestra with Rich Fudoli is at Green Dolphin Street. The Kurt Elling quartet is at the Green Mill. The Heath Brothers are at the Jazz Showcase. Ken Saydak is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium tonight. Jackie Allen and Judy Roberts are at Philander's in Oak Park. The Steve Evans quartet is at Pops for Champagne.

In New Orleans... Mafouz brings jazz with a Turkish flavor to the Blue Nile tonight. Leigh "Little Queenie" Harris is at Dos Jefes. The Soul Rebels Brass Band is at El Matador. Victor Atkins' Big Line-Up is at the Funky Butt. Louis Ford is at Satchmo's jazz room in Harrah's Casino. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers are at Le Bon Temps Roule. Fred Sanders and Matt Lemmler are at Le Salon at Windsor Court. The Jerry Embree Swing Band is at Mid-City Lanes Rock'n'Bowl. Dave Goodman and the Stick Band are at Snug Harbor. Dr. Guitar and the Franklin Avenue Overpass are at the Spotted Cat. 3 Now 4 is at d.b.a.

In California... the band Oregon is at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Saturday. Scott Hamilton's quartet is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood tonight. The Gerard Hagen trio is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton tonight. The Marilyn King quartet is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. The Vince Lateano Trio featuring guitarist Jeff Massanari is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco. Dr. John is at Yoshi's in Oakland.

On the recording front...

Guitarist Pat Martino heads to the studio this month to record his fourth release for Blue Note. It will team him with Joe Lovano, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Christian McBride and Brian Blade.