Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Jan. 3.

Guitarist Eddie Lang, a veteran of the Joe Venuti, Bob Crosby and Paul Whiteman bands, was born this day in 1904 in Philadelphia.

Pianist and composer Herbie Nichols was born this day in 1919 in New York City. He worked with Herman Autrey, Illinois Jacquet and John Kirby in the 1940s. He wrote "Lady Sings the Blues" for Billie Holiday. Nichols died in 1963.

Alto saxophonist John Jenkins was born this day in 1931 in Chicago. He collaborated with Charles Mingus, and led a bop quintet with Sonny Clark, Kenny Burrell, Paul Chambers and Dannie Richmond in a Blue Note recording. He also recorded with Jackie McLean and Donald Byrd. He left the music business in 1965.

Saxophonist James Carter was born this day in 1969 in Detroit. He is one of the most versatile explores among the younger players on the New York jazz scene today. Carter has worked with Wynton Marsalis, Lester Bowie, the Mingus Big Band, and has toured with the Art Ensemble of Chicago.

On this day in 1949, the Metronome All-Stars recorded "Victory Ball" and "Overtime" during a session in New York. The band that day included Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Ventura.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... the McCoy Tyner is at Iridium with special guest Michael Brecker. The Chick Corea New Trio with Avishai Cohen and Jeff Ballard plus special guest Gary Burton are at the Blue Note this week. Steve Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra is at the Jazz Standard through Sunday. Freddie Hubbard is at Birdland tonight and Saturday with The New Jazz Composers Octet. Tonight's first set is preceded by an early evening show by Lew Anderson's All-American Big Band.

Bassist John Benitez's Soul Expressions, featuring guitarist Adam Rogers, is at The Jazz Gallery tonight. There's a Latin percussion extravaganza at Joe's Pub featuring the LP Rumba Ensemble with conguero Li'l Johnny Rivero and percussionist-singer Pedro Martinez. It will celebrate the release of "Montvale Rumba," the first production in 20 years by Latin Percussion founder Martin Cohen.

In and around Boston... jazz-pop harpist Deborah Henson-Conant is at The Regattabar in Cambridge tonight and Saturday. Pieces Of A Dream are at Scullers jazz club in Boston tonight and Saturday.

In Philadelphia tonight... Cuarteto Caribe is at the Museum of Art's Great Stair Hall. Free Expression is at Zanzibar Blue. The Seamus Blake-Ari Hoenig trio is at Chris's Jazz Cafe.

In New Orleans... the Earl Brown trio is at Cafe Sbisa. David Torkanowsky is at Cobalt tonight. Jerry and the Jazzmakers and New Orleans Street Beat are at the Crescent City Brewhouse. The Treme Brass Band is at Donna's. Wendell Brunious is at Dos Jefes tonight. The Devin Phillips quartet and the Li'l Stooges Brass Band are at the Funky Butt. Theresa Andersson plus the Joe Krown Organ Combo are at the Maple Leaf.

Bust featuring Rebecca Barry plus William Lee and the Modern Primitives are at the Mermaid Lounge. The Ernie Elly Slickshots with Thais Clark are at the Palm Court. Leroy Jones leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. Tony Dagradi is at Rene Bistrot. Ellis Marsalis is at Snug Harbor. The New Orleans Jazz Vipers are at the Spotted Cat.

In California... singer Dwight Trible is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. The Jennifer York quartet is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton. Gerald Clayton is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks tonight with the Gilbert Castellanos trio. Trumpeter Scotty Barnhart and saxophonist Charles Owens are featured with the John Heard trio tonight at Charlie O's in Valley Glen. Saxophonist Michael Zilber and drummer Akira Tana bring their quartet to Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco tonight and Saturday. The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars featuring James Moody, Slide Hampton and Jon Faddis are at Yoshi's in Oakland through Sunday.

Omar Sosa is at the 19th annual International Jazz Festival in Munster, Germany, tonight.

Pianist Jason Moran and Bandwagon open a Rising Stars tour of Europe tonight in Hamburg, Germany. They will visit 14 cities in Germany, Switzerland and Austria over the next 2 1/2 weeks.