Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Dec. 4.

Composer Eddie Heywood was born this day in 1915 in Atlanta. He is best remembered for his tunes "Canadian Sunset" and "Soft Summer Breeze."

Jazz guitarist Jim Hall was born this day in 1930 in Buffalo, N.Y. One of the great melodic jazz improvisers, Hall is best known for his classic duet recordings with Red Mitchell, Ron Carter and Bill Evans -- and a newer one destined to be a classic -- with Pat Metheny.

Drummer and percussionist Dennis Charles was born this day in 1933 on St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. From 1955 to 1960 he played in Cecil Taylor's group.

On this day in 1927, Duke Ellington's big band opened at the Cotton Club in Harlem. The high profile gig lasted for five years.

On this night in 2001... Chick Corea opened a three-week, diversified celebration of his 60th birthday at the Blue Note in New York. The musical context shifted every two nights of the engagement, which included a reunion of his memorable "Now He Sings, Now He Sobs" trio with bassist Miroslav Vitous and drummer Roy Haynes.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... David Berkman's quartet is at The Jazz Standard tonight. Guitarist Lee Ritenour is at the Blue Note. Hammond B-3 masters Jimmy McGriff and Dr. Lonnie Smith are at Iridium this week with special guests Houston Person and Melvin Sparks.

The Geri Allen trio is at the Village Vanguard through Sunday. Singer Allan Harris and the Lafayette Harris trio present "A Harlem Christmas" tonight at Londels in Harlem. The Frank Lacy Quartet is at the Zinc Bar.

Singer Steve Tyrell is at the Clarice Buckman Theater at Quinnipiac College in Hamden, Conn., tonight as part of the Sonny Costanzo Concert Series.

The Shimon Ben-Shir Group is at Ryles in Cambridge, Mass., tonight.

In the Chicago are tonight... Henry Johnson's Organ Express is at Andy's. The Ron Smith duo is at Bistro America in Batavia. Mike Finnerty and the Jazz Hippies are at Cafe Ennui. The Bill Porter Orchestra with Rich Fudoli is at Green Dolphin Street. Alan Gresik's Swing Shift Orchestra is at the Green Mill. The Brass Tracks Big Band is at Hackney's.

Monty Alexander, Russell Malone and John Clayton team up this week at the Jazz Showcase in a tribute to late bassist Ray Brown. Ken Saydak is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium tonight. WesBound Trane is at Michael's Jazz Bistro in Glen Ellyn. Jackie Allen and Judy Roberts are at Philander's in Oak Park. The Steve Evans quartet is at Pops for Champagne. Yoko Noge is at Pops of Highwood.

In New Orleans... Brian Prunka is at the Blue Nile. The Earl Brown trio is at Cafe Sbisa tonight. Lenny McDaniel is at Cobalt. Leigh "Little Queenie" Harris is at Dos Jefes. The Soul Rebels Brass Band is at El Matador. Ingrid Lucia is at the Ritz-Carlton's French Quarter Bar. Jack Maheu and Friends are at Fritzel's.

Chi-Town Maurice Brown is at the Funky Butt. Topsy Chapman is at Satchmo's jazz room in Harrah's. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers are at Le Bon Temps Roule. John Brunious leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. The Cameron Brown trio featuring Steve Masakowski is at Snug Harbor.

On the California jazz scene... Jimmy Scott is at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Sunday. Chuck Berghofer and The Midnight Jazz Band are at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. The Billy Frenzel-Jimmy Emerzian Jazz Orchestra is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton. Emil Richards' band, Calamari, is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen tonight. The Stanley Clarke band is at Yoshi's in Oakland tonight through Sunday.

Smooth-jazz saxophonist Dave Koz brings sixth annual "A Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour" with David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell and Peter White to the Saroyan Theatre in Fresno.