Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Dec. 1.

Pianist John Bunch was born on this date in 1921 in Tipton, Ind. A marvelous player, whose fingers dance over the keyboard, Bunch worked with Benny Goodman and was Tony Bennett's conductor and accompanist for six years.

Clarinetist and saxophonist Dick Johnson was born this day in 1925 in Brockton, Mass. The leader of the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra has been a fixture on the Boston jazz scene since the early 1950s.

Electric bass marvel Jaco Pastorius was born this day in 1951 in Norristown, Pa. He died in 1987 from injuries suffered in a beating outside a Florida nightclub. Many consider him the most innovative electric bass player who ever touched the instrument.

On this day in 1945, Lionel Hampton cut one of his most famous recordings for Decca Records. The song was the infectious "Hey-Ba-Ba-Re-Bop."

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... Mike Stern's band with Dave Weckl and Victor Wooten is at Iridium. The Jason Moran trio is at the Village Vanguard. Rene Marie is at The Jazz Standard. Eddie Palmieri and La Perfecta II are at the Blue Note this week.

Diane Hubka is at Chez Suzette tonight. Barbes in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood features trumpeter Roy Campbell Jr. and pianist Sam Coley accompanying music-related readings by Steve Dollar before Zane Massey's Sunday night jam session.

Singer Jane Monheit is at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northhampton, Mass., with her band tonight and Monday.

In Philadelphia tonight... the Orrin Evans quintet celebrates the pianist's new CD, "Meant to Shine" at the Sedgwick Cultural Center. Bobby Zankel and the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound are at Tritone.

Alex Bugnon is at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., tonight.

In Chicago tonight... the Roy Hargrove quintet is at the Jazz Showcase. Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman are at The Chambers in Niles. The Chicago Jazz Orchestra is at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn. The Kimberly Gordan trio is at the Green Mill tonight. Sonny Turner's quintet is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. The Elaine Dame trio is at Katerina's this afternoon. Kara Kesselring is at Philander's in Oak Park tonight. The Bradley William's trio is at Pops for Champagne.

In New Orleans... the Earl Brown trio is at Cafe Sbisa tonight. The Hot Club of New Orleans swing band is at the Circle Bar. The Shannon Powell quartet is at Donna's. Warren Battiste is at El Matador. Ryan Burrage and His Rhythmakers are at Fritzel's European Jazz Pub. Big Sam's Funky Nation and Evan Howard are at the Funky Butt.

The Johnny Vidacovich trio with George Porter Junior and Nicholas Payton plus the Trombone Shorty Brass Band are at the Maple Leaf tonight. Lucien Barbarin and the Sunday Night Swingsters are at the Palm Court. The Olympia Brass Band is at Preservation Hall. Ingrid Lucia and Amasa Miller are at Snug Harbor.

On the California jazz scene... Cedar Walton winds up his weeklong run at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight with Curtis Fuller, Buster Williams and Jimmy Cobb. John Gianelli and Friends with Frank Marocco are at Spazio in Sherman Oaks tonight. Tuck and Patti are at Yoshi's in Oakland.

Taj Mahal is at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle.