Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Dec. 5.

Alto saxophonist Marshall Royal was born this on date in 1912. He was a major voice in the Count Basie Orchestra in the 1950s and 1960s.

Singer Kay Davis was born on this date in 1920. She sang with Duke Ellington in the 1940s and was featured on Duke's recordings of "Transblucency" and "Minnehaha."

On this day in 1928, Louis Armstrong and Earl "Fatha" Hines went into the studio to record their highly original trumpet and piano duet "Weather Bird."

On this night in 2001... there was a concert at Town Hall in New York called "Made in America," a jazz event to benefit victims of Sept. 11. The all-star collaborations included Wayne Shorter and Ruben Blades, Michael Brecker and John Scofield, and Cassandra Wilson and Bela Fleck. The Jazz Alliance International held the event to assist the Robin Hood Foundation, which fights poverty in New York City.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... the Orrin Evans quintet is at The Jazz Standard tonight. Guitarist Lee Ritenour is at the Blue Note through Sunday. There's a double Hammond B-3 blowout at Iridium this week featuring Jimmy McGriff and Dr. Lonnie Smith with special guests Houston Person and Melvin Sparks. The Geri Allen trio is at the Village Vanguard through Sunday. Chris Washburne's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. The Robert Glasper trio is at The Jazz Gallery.

In and around Boston... Norman Hedman's Tropique is at Scullers jazz club tonight for a show hosted by the New England Patriots' Ty Law. The Bruce Gertz group featuring guitarist John Abercrombie and drummer Adam Nussbaum is at Ryles in Cambridge tonight.

Pianist Jason Moran is in Washington, D.C., tonight for a Christmas with Pianists show hosted by Billy Taylor at The Kennedy Center.

On the Chicago jazz scene... the University of Chicago's Jazz X-tet presents "Fall Swing Menagerie" led by Mwata Bowden tonight and featuring the music of Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster and Thad Jones at Fulton Recital Hall. The Ron Freidman quintet is at Andy's. John Bany, Don Stille and Charles Braugham lead the Thursday night jam session at The Chambers in Niles. Judy Roberts is at The Chicago Firehouse.

The Ken Saydak duo is at The Foundry at Fox Valley Mall. Alan Gresik's Swing Shift Orchestra is at the Green Mill. The Jazz Showcase presents a tribute to Ray Brown this week with Monty Alexander, Russell Malone and John Clayton. Erwin Helfer and the Chicago Boogie Ensemble are at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium tonight. Allen and Judy Roberts are at Philander's in Oak Park. The Steve Ditzell duo is at Pops of Highwood.

In New Orleans... the Rob Wagner trio is at Loft 523. Dr. Bone and the Hepcats are at the Banks Street Bar and Grill. The Earl Brown trio is at Cafe Sbisa tonight. Willy Tee is at Cobalt. The Mark Braud quartet is at Donna's. Rebecca Barry is at Dos Jefes. John Boutte is at El Matador. Jeremy Davenport is at the Ritz-Carlton's French Quarter Bar. Jack Maheu and Friends are at Fritzel's. The Evan Howard band is at the Funky Butt. Topsy Chapman is at Satchmo's jazz room in Harrah's. The Soul Rebels Brass Band is at Le Bon Temps Roule. Lloyd Washington and the Crescent City Joymakers are at the Palm Court. Dave Bartholomew leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. Kid Merv and All That Jazz are at Snug Harbor. The Panorama Jazz Band and the Royal Rounders are at the Spotted Cat. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers are at Vaughan's.

Pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba's trio performs tonight at the Blue Note in Columbia, Mo. The concert is a memorial tribute to late jazz patron, Dr. Carlos Perez-Mesa, and a fundraiser for the "We Always Swing" jazz series.

On the California jazz scene... Jimmy Scott is at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Sunday. The Flying Pisanos are at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. The Ron Eschete trio is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton. Drummer Earl Palmer is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen. The Stanley Clarke band is at Yoshi's in Oakland 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 Spreckles Theatre in San Diego tonight.

Tuck and Patti are at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle tonight through Sunday.