Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Sept. 28.

Pianist Kenny Kirkland was born this day in 1957 in New York City. He hit the jazz big time in 1982 as a sideman with Wynton Marsalis, then began working in 1985 with saxophonist Branford Marsalis. Kirkland and Marsalis made a world tour with the pop musician Sting that year. Kirkland later joined Marsalis's NBC-TV "Tonight Show" band. He died in November 1998 from a drug overdose at age 43.

Bandleader Lucky Millinder died on this day in 1966 at age 66. The high profile showman with an eye for commercial appeal and an ear for talent retired in 1952 to become a liquor salesman and a disc jockey.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

Three Blue Note artists, including Cuban pianists -- father and son Bebo and Chucho Valdes -- took home prizes at the recent 3rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards, which recognizes the best in Latin recording arts and sciences. The annual awards ceremony honors creative and technical achievements in 41 categories from a range of musical fields, including pop, rock, regional, jazz, Brazilian and classical.

Bebo Valdes, a key member of Cuba¹s famed Tropicana era, was awarded Best Traditional Tropical Album for "El Arte del Sabor (The Art of Flavor)," featuring his trio with Israel Lopez "Cachao" & Carlos "Patato" Valdes. His son, Chucho Valdes, took home his first Latin Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album for "Canciones Ineditas" on the Egrem label. Last year, Valdes took home a Grammy for his Blue Note recording, "Live at the Village Vanguard." Pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba was awarded Best Latin Jazz Album for "Supernova."

On the New York jazz scene... the second annual Hank Mobley Festival continues at the Jazz Standard. Robert Randolph and the Family Band are at Irving Plaza tonight. The Jimmy Smith quartet with Mark Whitfield, Bill Easley and Jimmy Jackson is at Iridium. The Joe Lovano nonet is at the Village Vanguard this week.

The Jazz Gallery celebrates the second anniversary of its "Heartsong" series tonight with singer Lezlie Harrison featuring Richard D'Abreu Jr. on Hammond B-3 organ, Sol Rubin on guitar and Ali Jackson on drums.

Singer Kitty Margolis is at the Philipsburgh Hall Performing Arts Center in Yonkers. The 7th annual Sunnyside Jazz Festival in Tarrytown features Chuck Loeb and Jeff Kashiwa, the Houston Person quartet and David Amram today and Melissa Walker, Donald Harrison, and Javon Jackson and Split Second on Sunday.

Two longtime musical chums, saxophonist Scott Hamilton and guitarist Duke Robillard, are at Chan's in Woonsocket, R.I., tonight. The Joe Parrillo jazz trio is at CAV in Providence, R.I., tonight. Saxophonist Greg Abate is at the Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich, R.I., tonight with his quartet.

In and around Boston tonight... Acoustic Alchemy is at Scullers jazz club in Boston. Vibes player Victor Mendoza's Latin jazz sextet is at the Highland jazz series in Needham, Mass., tonight. Reed player Michael Moore's Jewels and Binoculars trio with bassist Lindsay Horner and drummer Michael Vatcher performs tonight at the Institute of Contemporary Art under the auspices of the Boston Creative Music Alliance.

Medeski, Martin and Wood are at the State Theater in Portland, Maine, tonight.

Jane Monheit is at the Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa., outside Philadelphia, tonight.

The 22nd annual Savannah, Ga., Jazz Festival today features the U.S. Army Ground Forces Band, Savannah's own Laura Friedman quartet, Kim Thompson's quintet, the all-female quintet Jazzberry Jam, Rachel Z's trio, the Coastal Jazz Association All Stars featuring Irene Reid and the Savannah Jazz Orchestra featuring Marlena Shaw.

Cuban pianist and composer Miguel Romero performs today at the Fiesta del Pueblo in Tifton, Ga.

The String Trio of New York performs tonight at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in Grand Rapids, Mich.

In Chicago... Judy Roberts is at The Chicago Firehouse. Marian McPartland is at the Jazz Showcase. Bopology is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium. Rankinfyle is at Philander's in Oak Park tonight.

Pianist Kenny Barron is at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee tonight.

On the New Orleans jazz scene tonight... Blue Universe and Chevere are at the Blue Nile. Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias are at Donna's. Wendell Brunious is at Dos Jefes. The Devin Phillips quartet and Jazz Sawyer's Big Band are at the Funky Butt. Topsy Chapman and Brian O'Neill are at Satchmo's jazz room in Harrah's casino.

The Victor Atkins trio is at Le Salon at the Windsor Court. Lionel Ferbos and the Palm Court Jazz Band are at the Palm Court. Pete Fountain is at his longstanding club in the Hilton Hotel. The Panorama Jazz Band is at the Seaport Cafe. Mose Allison is at Snug Harbor. Dr. Bone and the Hepcats are at the Spotted Cat. The John Scofield Band plus Topaz are at Tipitina's. Tommy Yetta's New Orleans Jazz Band is at the French Market Complex this afternoon.

Terence Blanchard is at Sedona on the Rocks Jazz Festival in Sedona, Ariz.

Kenny Rankin is at the Boulder Station Casino in Las Vegas tonight.

In California... George Duke is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood tonight. The Fred Ramirez Latin jazz band is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton. Pianist Pete Jolly's trio is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks tonight. The Dave Holland Big Band is at Yoshi's in Oakland through Sunday. Trumpeter A.J. Johnson's West Coast Jazz Ensemble is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco. Mark Levine, David Ewell and Ron Marabuto are at Bacar in San Francisco.

Holland's Willem Breuker Kollektief is at the Music Gallery at St. George the Martyr Church in Toronto. The David Braid All-Star Sextet is at the Capilano College Performing Arts Center in North Vancouver, British Columbia, tonight.