Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Dec. 22.

Bassist and tuba player Red Balaban was born this date in 1929 in Chicago. From 1975 to 1985, he owned and ran Eddie Condon's jazz club and led its house band, Balaban and Cats.

This was the day in 1952 when the group that epitomizes "chamber jazz" went into the recording studio for the first time. The Modern Jazz Quintet's first Prestige album was called "Modern Jazz Quartet."

On this night in 1965... trumpeter Miles Davis and his newly galvanized quintet were playing at the Plugged Nickel jazz club in Chicago. It was the second night of a two-week engagement stretching through the Christmas and New Year holidays, and it resulted in a historic recording session that documented the stunning development of the band with bassist Ron Carter, drummer Tony Williams, pianist Herbie Hancock and saxophonist Wayne Shorter.

On this night in 2001, trumpeter Irvin Mayfield hosted a "Jazzin up the Holidays" benefit concert at the New Orleans Ritz Carlton with pianist Ellis Marsalis, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, Los Hombres Calientes with special guest Donald Harrison plus Allen Toussaint, Davell Crawford John Boutte and Jeremy Davenport. The concert benefited the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation's School of Music.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... singers Jane Monheit and Andy Bey are at the Blue Note tonight, while today's East Meets West Jazz Brunch features Yoshiaki Masuo with Bill Mays trio. Jackie McLean and the Cedar Walton trio are at the Village Vanguard. The Ahmad Jamal trio is at Iridium. Harvie S. and Eye Contact are at the 55 Bar. Chris Washburne's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is at Smoke tonight.

The Gary Sugal Big Band presents a Christmas concert this evening in the Wolf Den Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in Ledyard, Conn.

Singer Rebecca Parris is at The Regattabar in Cambridge, Mass., for her annual Christmas visit this afternoon and evening with trumpeter Herb Pomeroy, saxophonist Fred Haas, bassist Peter Kontrimas, pianist George Mesterhazy and drummer Matt Gordy.

On the Chicago jazz scene... saxophonist Benny Golson is with the Mike Kocour trio at the Jazz Showcase. Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman are at The Chambers in Niles. The Kimberly Gordan trio is at the Green Mill tonight. The Sonny Turner quintet is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. Kara Kesselring is at Philander's in Oak Park. The Russell Alan Rowe trio is at Pops for Champagne.

On the New Orleans jazz scene... Earl Brown is at Cafe Sbisa. The Shannon Powell quartet is at Donna's. Wendell Brunious is at Dos Jefes. Linnzi Zaorski and Delta Royale and Warren Battiste are at El Matador. Ryan Burrage and His Rhythmakers are at Fritzel's.

Big Sam's Funky Nation and Evan Howard are at the Funky Butt. The Johnny Vidacovich trio with special guest Chris Chew plus the Trombone Shorty Brass Band are at the Maple Leaf tonight. The Olympia Brass Band is at Preservation Hall. Delfeayo Marsalis is at Snug Harbor. The Dixie Trio is at the Seaport Cafe.

Singer Allan Harris and special guest Maya Azucena are at the Wheeler Operaq House in Aspen, Colo., tonight for A Jazzy Aspen Christmas Concert.

On the California jazz scene... Kevin Mahogany is at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. Theo Saunders and Friends are at Spazio in Sherman Oaks tonight. The Sunday Jazz Band features Sam Most at Charlie O's in Valley Glen tonight. Sal Cracchiolo and Melanie Jackson's band featuring Carlos Cuevas, Tony Banda, Kendall Kay and Jose "Papo" Rodriguez is at Spaghettini's Italian Grill in Seal Beach tonight. The Charlie Hunter Group is at Yoshi's in Oakland.

Singer Dianne Reeves is at the Blue Note in Tokyo tonight through Wednesday.