Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Jan. 4.

Saxophonist Frank Wess was born this day in 1922 in Kansas City, Mo. In addition to being a top tenor player, the Basie band veteran also is one of the premiere flute players in jazz.

Guitarist John McLaughlin was born this day in Yorkshire, England, in 1942. Early in his career, he made major contributions to two of trumpeter Miles Davis's influential fusion albums, "In a Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew."

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Slim Gaillard was born this day in 1916 in Detroit. He is best remembered for his jive talk duet with bassist Slam Stewart in the late 1930s, and their huge hit "Flat Foot Floogie."

Trumpeter Frankie Newton was born this day in 1906 in Emory, Va. Having no hits of his own, he was somewhat neglected in the trumpet legacy. But Newton recorded four classics with Bessie Smith, including the tune "Do Your Duty." He also played on Billie Holiday's finest recording of "Strange Fruit."

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... Steve Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra is at the Jazz Standard. 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. Michael White's Original Liberty Jazz Band of New Orleans is at the Village Vanguard. The John Benitez-Dave Liebman quartet is at The Jazz Gallery tonight. Freddie Hubbard is at Birdland tonight with The New Jazz Composers Octet.

In and around Boston... jazz-pop harpist Deborah Henson-Conant is at The Regattabar in Cambridge tonight. Pieces of A Dream are at Scullers jazz club in Boston tonight. Vocalist Jimmy Scott will appear for a book signing of his new biography, "Faith in Time," this afternoon at the Aquitaine Restaurant in Boston's South End, and will be in concert tonight at the Stoneham Theatre in Stoneham.

In Philadelphia... Free Expression is at Zanzibar Blue and Rumba Club is at Chris's Jazz Cafe.

In Chicago... pianist Barry Harris is at the Jazz Showcase through Sunday. The Alejo Poveda sextet is at Andy's tonight. Judy Roberts is at The Chicago Firehouse. Bopology is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. Guitarist Bobby Broom's organ trio, Deep Blue, is at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in suburban Evanston tonight. Rankinfyle is at Philander's in Oak Park. The Jordan Baskin-Taku Akiyama quartet is at Pops for Champagne. The Sam Bar'Sheshet trio is at Pops of Highwood. Nicole Mitchell and Black Earth is at the Velvet Lounge

In New Orleans... Bust and the Blue Universe Quartet featuring Sheik Rasheed are at the Blue Nile. The Earl Brown trio is at Cafe Sbisa. David Torkanowsky is at Cobalt tonight. The Coolbone Brass Band is at the Delta Blues Grill tonight. John Boutte and Friends are at Donna's. Dr. Bone and the Hepcats are at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park this afternoon and are at Dos Jefes tonight. The Devin Phillips quartet is at the Funky Butt. Lionel Ferbos is at the Palm Court. John Brunious leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. Bill Summers is at Snug Harbor with Donald Harrison and Maurice Brown.

In California... pianist Bill Cunliffe's trio is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. The Francisco Aguabella Latin jazz band is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton. The Christian Jacob trio is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks tonight. Saxophonist Don Menza and trumpeter Scotty Barnhart are at Charlie O's in Valley Glen tonight with the John Heard trio. Saxophonist Michael Zilber and drummer Akira Tana bring their quartet to Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco tonight. The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars featuring James Moody, Slide Hampton and Jon Faddis are at Yoshi's in Oakland through Sunday.