Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Dec. 28.

Earl Hines, one of the pianists who helped shape the history of jazz, was born this day in 1903 in Duquesne, Pa. His level of rhythmic and melodic invention was so influential other musicians nicknamed him "Fatha." After mastering the stride and ragtime piano techniques, Hines expanded the piano's scope in jazz with a series of historic recordings with Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven bands in the late 1920s.

Saxophonist Al Klink was born this day in 1915 in Danbury, Conn. He performed and recorded early in his career with Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman. He was featured in the saxophone duet on Miller's big 1939 hit "In The Mood."

Drummer Ed Thigpen was born this day in Chicago in 1930, the son of swing drummer Ben Thigpen. His most important musical alliances have been with Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald.

Pianist Michel Petrucciani was born this day in 1962 in Montpelier, France. While born with a rare bone disease that prevented him from growing to adult size, Petrucciani began playing jazz professionally at age 15. He died in 1999 at age 36.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

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

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.

In Philadelphia tonight... Joanne Pascale is with the Mickey Roker quartet at Ortlieb's Jazzhaus. Gerald Veasely is at Zanzibar Blue. The Jimmy Bruno trio and Larry McKenna are at Chris's Jazz Cafe.

In Chicago... Judy Roberts is at The Chicago Firehouse. A Battle of the Saxes continues tonight at the Green Mill with Von Freeman and Ed Petersen. Henry Johnson's Organ Express is at the Jazz Showcase. Bopology is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium tonight. Juli Wood is at Katerina's. Rankinfyle is at Philander's in Oak Park. Savoir Faire is at Pops for Champagne.

In New Orleans... The Blue Universe Quartet and Rebecca Barry's Bust are at the Blue Nile. Fredy Omar con su Banda are at Cafe Brasil. The Earl Brown trio is at Cafe Sbisa. Amy Adams and Brian Coogan are at Charley G's. David Torkanowsky is at Cobalt. The Potholes Brass Band is at Donna's. Tim Laughlin and John Royens are at Dos Jefes. 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. John Brunious leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. Joanne Brackeen is at Snug Harbor. The Original Royal Players Brass Band is at the French Market Complex this afternoon. Hack Bartholomew is at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park this afternoon.

The second annual Desert Big Band and Jazz Party runs today through Monday at the Palm Springs, Calif., Riviera Resort and Racquet Club. Headliners include Gordon Goodwin's Phat Band tonight, an all-star Stan Kenton alumni band led by Bob Curnow on Sunday, and a Frank Capp Juggernaut tribute to Count Basie as Monday's finale. Other performers include Gary Foster Plus Eleven, Bud Shank's quartet, Supersax, Peter Erskine and Alan Pasqua, Ken Peplowski and Sue Raney.

Elsewhere on the California jazz scene... Poncho Sanchez and the Latin all stars at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. Bob DeSena's Latin jazz group is at The Deck in Palm Springs. Mark Levine and The Latin Tinge are at the De Anza Hotel in San Jose. Trumpeter Mark Wright's sextet is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco tonight. Taj Mahal is at Yoshi's in Oakland.

Pianist Kenny Barron and Sphere are at the Umbria Winter Jazz Festival in Orvieto, Italy, tonight through Wednesday.