Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Sept. 15.

Saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley was born this day in 1928 in Tampa, Fla. Aside from two years in the Miles Davis quintet, Adderley spent most of his career in a quintet co-led with his younger brother, trumpeter Nat Adderley.

He set the standard for 1960's soul jazz and was exceedingly popular on the club circuit until his death in 1975 from a stroke. Adderley's nickname "Cannonball" dogged him since childhood. It was a corruption of the word "cannibal," which stemmed from his huge appetite.

Composer, arranger and horn player Gene Roland was born this day in 1921 in Dallas. He worked extensively with Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. Roland's innovative arrangements for four tenor saxophones gave rise to the classic Four Brothers sax section in Herman's band in the late 1940s. He also introduced a new sound into the Kenton band by writing arrangements for four mellophoniums.

Roland tried his own hand at leading a big band in 1950 with a 26-piece unit that featured Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and other prominent bop musicians. It was unsuccessful, so he resumed writing for Kenton and Herman, and touring with the Kenton band. Gene Roland died in 1982.

Bass player Arvell Shaw was born this day in 1923 in St. Louis, Mo. He worked extensively with Louis Armstrong and pianist Teddy Wilson.

Pianist Bill Evans died this day in 1980 in New York, his well-documented history of drug abuse and hepatitis developed in his youth having led to complications that snuffed out the sound of one off the great, innovative piano modernists in jazz.

On this day in 1930, cornet marvel Bix Beiderbecke cut his last record. The tune was called "Bessie Couldn't Help It."

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... the Eric Alexander quartet is at the Jazz Standard tonight Sunday. Drummer Elvin Jones's 75th birthday celebration is featured at the Blue Note. Bill Charlap's trio closes out its current run at the Village Vanguard tonight. Eliane Elias is at Iridium. Chris Washburne's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is at Smoke every Sunday evening. Guitarist Peter Leitch is at Walker's tonight with tenor saxophonist Jed Levy.

Singer Jimmy Scott will perform tonight at Cafe Classics in Doylestown, Pa.

In and around Chicago... Matthias Ziegler brings his solo program (with loops, drones, triggers, effects) to Chicago for the first time this afternoon for a concert and master class at the Shorewood Conservatory of Music. Mike Finnerty and the Jazz Hippies are at Cafe Ennui tonight. Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman are at The Chambers in Niles. Kimberly Gordan's trio is at the Green Mill. Kenny Garrett winds up his weeklong run at the Jazz Showcase tonight. The Sonny Turner quintet is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium. Kara Kesselring is at Philander's in Oak Park. The Russell Alan Rowe trio is at Pops for Champagne.

In New Orleans... the Hot Club of New Orleans swing band is at the Circle Bar. Drummer Shannon Powell's quartet is at Donna's. Burke Ingraffia is at Dos Jefes. The David Dunbar quartet is at El Matador. Big Sam's Funky Nation and Evan Howard are at the Funky Butt. Darrell Lavigne and Larry Sieberth are at Le Salon at Windsor Court.

The Stanton Moore trio with George Porter Jr. and Mark Mullins and Trombone Shorty's band are at the Maple Leaf. Zony Mash, featuring Wayne Horvitz, Tim Young, Andy Young and Keith Lowe, is at the Mermaid Lounge. Leigh Harris is at Snug Harbor. Captain Cook and Steamboat Willie are at the Spotted Cat.

On the California jazz scene... Dave Frishberg and Bob Dorough are at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. Tenor saxophonist Paul Viani's quartet is at Dizzy's in San Diego tonight. Carl Saunders and friends are at Spazio in Sherman Oaks tonight. James Moody's quartet is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in North Hollywood tonight. The Golden Eagle Dixieland Jazz Band is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton this afternoon. Don Byron's Music for Six Musicians band is at Yoshi's in Oakland tonight.

On the recording front...

The Milestone label is out this month with U.S. distribution of an eight-disc set of Bill Evans music called "Consecration." It was recorded at the Keystone Korner in San Francisco, the week before he died in September 1980. "Consecration" is a tandem set with "The Last Waltz," which was released two years ago.

"Consecration" is drawn largely from first set performances. "The Last Waltz" documented second sets each night. This new set, teaming Evans with his final trio mates, bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joe LaBarbera, was released in 1997 in Japan only. Among its 68 performances of 24 different tunes, "Consecration" contains six versions of the Rodgers and Hart song, "My Romance," which Evans was using as a first-set closer at the time.