Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Sept. 5.

German jazz saxophonist Joki Freund was born this day in 1926 in Schwalbach, not far from Frankfurt. He had his own hard bop quintet in the 1950s and also played tuba in a traditional jazz band. In the 1960s, he worked with Albert Mangelsdorff, Donald Byrd, Arthur Taylor and Doug Watkins.

Trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff was born this day in 1928 in Frankfurt, Germany. Even though the Nazis banned jazz, Mangelsdorff's father played it, and Albert and his brother attended secret performances at the Hot Club in Frankfurt. At age 12, in 1940, Mangelsdorff decided he wanted to play jazz himself. By the 1960s, he garnered worldwide recognition as an influential and innovative free jazz player.

Pianist Richie Powell, younger brother of jazz legend Bud Powell, was born this day in 1931 in New York City. Powell reached musical maturity in the Max Roach-Clifford Brown Quintet. He died in 1956 in the tragic car crash that also killed trumpeter Clifford Brown.

On this day in 1930, pianist and bandleader Luis Russell recorded "Panama."

On this day in 1939, Lester Young first recorded "Lester Leaps In" with Count Basie's Kansas City Seven for the Vocalion label.

On this day in 1940, the Duke Ellington Orchestra first recorded "In a Mellotone" for the Victor label.

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 tonight with her Spirits of Havana band. There's an all-star tribute to late bassist Ray Brown at the Blue Note this week. Sphere is at Iridium through Sunday. Trombonist Chris Washburne's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe tonight.

In and around Boston... pianist Aaron Goldberg's OAM trio is at the Regattabar in Cambridge tonight. Drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts' band is at Scullers in Boston.

Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has long been a friend to jazz. In fact, it seems to be Dr. Billy Taylor's second home. Tonight, it will open the doors of its Rooftop Education Center, which has been transformed into the new KC Jazz Club, replete with cabaret tables and drinks to set upon them.

The premiere engagement is a performance by pianist Mulgrew Miller's trio, the first concert in a two-week residence by MaxJazz label artists. The series continues with pianists Bruce Barth and Peter Martin, and singers Rene Marie, Laverne Butler and Carla Cook.

Another room in the Kennedy Center, the Terrace Theater, will host jazz events through October with Kenny Barron's "Cantra Brasil" and Claudia Acuna on Sept. 27, Dee Dee Bridgewater Oct. 18, Regina Carter on Oct. 25 and Herbie Hancock's quartet on Oct. 31.

In Chicago... the Heath Brothers are at the Jazz Showcase. The Mike Smith and Ron Freidman quintet is at Andy's tonight. The Thursday night jam session at The Chambers in Niles features John Bany, Don Stille and Charles Braugham. Judy Roberts is at The Chicago Firehouse. Alan Gresik's Swing Shift Orchestra is at the Green Mill tonight. The Awesome Three with Savoir Faire, Ray Silkman and Dee Alexander are at HotHouse tonight. Erwin Helfer and the Chicago Boogie Ensemble are at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. John Wright is at Philander's in Oak Park. Los Hombres Perdido are at Pops for Champagne.

On the New Orleans jazz scene... Cookout and the Improvisational Arts Council's "Acid Test" are at the Blue Nile. Los Tres Amigos are at Dos Jefes. The David Dunbar trio is at El Matador. David Torkanowky's Organism and the Evan Howard Band are at the Funky Butt. The Soul Rebels Brass Band is at Le Bon Temps Roule. The Chris Severin and the Roland Guerin trios are at Le Salon at the Windsor Court.

The James Westfall sextet is at Snug Harbor. The Hot Club of New Orleans swing band and the Panorama Jazz Band are at the Spotted Cat. Brian Seeger's Jazz Hang hangs tonight at the Stationhouse Grill. The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey plus Brotherhood of Groove are at Tipitina's. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers are at Vaughan's.

In California... the Ron Eschete trio is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton tonight. Scott Hamilton's quartet is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood. The band Oregon is at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Saturday. The Flying Pisanos are at Spazio in Sherman Oaks tonight. Singer Jamie Davis is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco tonight with the Vince Lateano trio featuring pianist Glen Pearsan. Dr. John is at Yoshi's in Oakland.