Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Sept. 29.

Violinist Jean-Luc Ponty was born this day in 1942 in Acranches in French Normandy. His father was a violinist so it came as no surprise when he began studying at age 5. Ponty dropped out of school at age 13 to concentrate on his music. He immersed himself in jazz playing after a big success at the Antibes Jazz Festival in 1964.

On this day in 1947, Dizzy Gillespie's Latin-tinged, short-lived jazz big band played Carnegie Hall in New York for the first time.

On this night in 2001, there was a 75th anniversary gala celebration of John Coltrane's life, music and legacy in Los Angeles. Kenny Burrell, Benny Maupin, Art Davis, George Bohannon, Geri Allen, Robert Hurst and Ali Jackson performed, along with Alice and Michelle Coltrane. This black-tie event launched the John Coltrane Scholarship Program. The Coltrane family started the program to help young people pursue music degrees with a jazz concentration at eight participating universities.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... Chris Washburne's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is at Smoke. Guitarist Peter Leitch is at Walker's tonight with bassist Sean Smith. The second annual Hank Mobley Festival concludes tonight at the Jazz Standard. The Jimmy Smith quartet with Mark Whitfield, Bill Easley and Jimmy Jackson is at Iridium. The Joe Lovano nonet is at the Village Vanguard. The New Reed Quartet featuring clarinetists Mark Whitecage, Perry Robinson, Rozanne Levine and Matt Snyder is at CBGB's Lounge tonight.

Richie Cole and the Alto Madness Orchestra are at Trumpets in Montclair, N.J., tonight.

Ida Zecco and friends are at The Regattabar in Cambridge, Mass., tonight. Daniel Ian Smith's Collective Directive is at the Church of Our Saviour in Brookline, Mass., tonight as part of its Jazz in the Sanctuary series.

The Oscar Peterson quintet is at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia tonight.

Singer Jane Monheit is at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Del., tonight.

Jazz week in Savannah, Ga., concludes today with an afternoon concert featuring McDonald's Children's Jazz Festival with the Coastal Jazz Association All Stars, Ronald McDonald and the Savannah Arts Academy Skylite Jazz Band.

In Cleveland tonight, Mark Murphy is at Nighttown and there's a screening of the film "Listen Up -- The Lives Of Quincy Jones" at the Madstone Centrum.

The Bird of Paradise Jazz Club in Ann Arbor, Mich., presents the Chet Baker documentary film "Let's Get Lost" tonight in its Reel Jazz series. It's a free screening.

In and around Chicago... Marian McPartland is at the Jazz Showcase tonight. Mike Finnerty and the Jazz Hippies are at Cafe Ennui. The Kimberly Gordan trio is at the Green Mill. The Sonny Turner quintet is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. Russell Alan Rowe's trio is at Pops for Champagne. Kara Kesselring is at Philander's in Oak Park. Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman are at The Chambers in Niles.

Pianist Kenny Barron is at the Grand Opera House in Oshkosh, Wis., tonight.

In New Orleans tonight... the Hot Club of New Orleans swing band is at the Circle Bar. Drummer Shannon Powell's quartet is at Donna's. Pianist Tom McDermott 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. Jesse McBride and Larry Sieberth are at Le Salon at Windsor Court. The Johnny Vidacovich trio with George Porter Jr. and Willie is at the Maple Leaf, as id Trombone Shorty. Lucien Barbarin and the Sunday Night Swingsters are at the Palm Court. Mose Allison is at Snug Harbor. Captain Cook is at the Spotted Cat. Clarinetist Frankie Kelly and Friends are featured in the Trinity Artists Series.

Herbie Hancock's quartet performs at a Los Angeles Jazz Society's 20th annual tribute and awards dinner at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. Hancock is also the honoree. Other award winners include John Levy for lifetime achievement, Annie Ross for vocalist, Roger Neumann as composer-arranger, James Newton as jazz educator, Howard Rumsey and Teri Merrill-Aarons as society founders, and Gerald Clayton as the Shelly Manne Memorial New talent Award.

Elsewhere in California tonight, Chris Potter winds down his weeklong run at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. George Duke is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood tonight. The Richard Allen Williams quintet with Justo Almario is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks tonight. Trumpeter Stacy Rowles is ay Charlie O's in Valley Glen tonight. The Dave Holland Big Band is at Yoshi's in Oakland tonight. Mark Levine is at the Washington Square Bar and Grill in San Francisco.

Holland's Willem Breuker Kollektief is at Dalhousie University inn Halifax, Nova Scotia, tonight.