Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Dec. 27.

New Orleans trumpeter Bunk Johnson was born this date in 1889. He played second fiddle, or in this case, second cornet, to the legendary and unrecorded Buddy Bolden in Bolden's band. Louis Armstrong once said Johnson played funeral marches with such feeling and emotion they made him cry. Johnson died in 1949.

Bass player and jazz writer Bill Crow was born this day in 1927 in Othello, Wash. Crow has won many favorable reviews for his two books of jazz anecdotes.

Pianist Walter Norris was born this date in 1931 in Little Rock, Ark. He has been living in Berlin since the late 1970s.

On this day in 1947, Woody Herman's Second Herd first recorded Jimmy Giuffre's composition "Four Brothers." The tune was written for Herman's famous "Four Brothers" saxophone section, whose original members were Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Serge Chaloff and Herbie Steward. Al Cohn soon replaced Steward in the lineup.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... the Manhattan Transfer's 30th anniversary celebration is at the Blue Note tonight through Sunday. The Winard Harper Sextet is at the Jazz Standard through Sunday. McCoy Tyner's big band is at Iridium this week. The Kendra Shank trio is at the 55 Bar tonight. The Jay Hoggard octet is at The Jazz Gallery tonight and Saturday.

In and around Boston... The Chick Corea New Trio with Avishai Cohen and Jeff Ballard is The Regattabar in Cambridge through Sunday. The Joey DeFrancesco trio is at Scullers in Boston tonight and Saturday. The Arnie Krakowsky band featuring Herb Pomeroy Herman Johnson's band is at Ryles in Cambridge tonight.

Pianist Orrin Evans plays tonight at the Museum of Art in his native Philadelphia. Elsewhere on the Philly jazz scene... the Madman Jazz Quartet is at North by Northwest tonight. Jimmy Oliver is at Ortlieb's Jazzhaus with the Mickey Roker quartet. Gerald Veasely is at Zanzibar Blue. The Jimmy Bruno-Chris Farr quartet is at Chris's Jazz Cafe.

In Chicago tonight... the Chris Lega-Pat Mallinger quintet is at Andy's. Judy Roberts is at The Chicago Firehouse. There's a Battle of the Saxes with Von Freeman and Ed Petersen at the Green Mill tonight and Saturday. The Henry Johnson Organ Express is at the Jazz Showcase, Skinny Williams is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. The Hinda Hoffman quartet is at Katerina's. The Andy Meacham trio is at Michael's Jazz Bistro in Glen Ellyn. The King Fleming trio is at Philander's in Oak Park. The Dave Flippo-Gephardt Long quartet is at Pops for Champagne.

In New Orleans... the Earl Brown trio is at Cafe Sbisa. David Torkanowsky is at Cobalt. The Treme Brass Band is at Donna's. Wendell Brunious is at Dos Jefes. Singer 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 Devin Phillips quartet is at the Funky Butt.

Louis Ford and Topsy Chapman are at Satchmo's jazz room in Harrah's casino. Dr. John is at the House of Blues tonight. Leroy Jones leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. Victor Goines and Germaine Bazzle are at Snug Harbor. The New Orleans Jazz Vipers are at the Spotted Cat. The North Mississippi All-stars plus Tab Benoit and the Li'l Rascals Brass Band are at Tipitina's.

In California... the Jon Epcar-Frank Abraham quintet is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. The Jennifer Barnes quintet with Tamir Hendelman is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton. The Joe LaBarbera quintet is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. Saxophonist Herman Riley is featured tonight and Saturday with the John Heard trio at Charlie O's in Valley Glen. The Taj Mahal trio is at Yoshi's in Oakland. Trumpeter Mark Wright sextet is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco tonight and Saturday.