Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Jan. 26.

Violinist Stephane Grappelli was born this day in Paris in 1908. Grappelli was still a teenager in the 1920s when he met French gypsy and jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Their musical partnership was a sensation among European Hot Club jazz buffs. Grappelli died in 1997.

Singer Alice Babs was born this day in 1924 in Kalmar, Sweden. She was the first Swedish jazz singer to be recognized for her sense of swing. She performed and recorded with Duke Ellington's orchestra in Europe and New York starting in 1963 and made recordings as a leader from the 1940s through the 1970s.

Trombonist Dick Nash was born this day in 1928 in Somerville, Mass. He played with Glen Gray and Tex Beneke before becoming a busy free-lance musician on the West Coast in the 1950s.

Alto saxophonist Dick Meldonian was born this day in 1930 in Providence, R.I. He was a busy session musician in and around New York for many years, leading his own small groups, and doubling as a funny-faced character actor and model.

This was the day, in 1938, that ushered in the Swing Era. Fifty-two years ago tonight, Benny Goodman opened a stunning engagement at the Paramount Theatre in New York. Attendance during his band's run at the Paramount totaled 26,000.

This was also the day, in 1934, when the Apollo Theater first opened its doors in Harlem. It has had a major impact on jazz and popular music ever since. The Apollo's weekly amateur competitions were an important discovery spot for emerging musicians, including Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.

On this day in 1925, cornetist Bix Beiderbecke first recorded his classic "Davenport Blues," which was named after his Iowa hometown.

On this night in 2002... Jazz at Lincoln Center premiered commissioned compositions by pianists Randy Weston and Danilo Perez in its "As of Now" series at Alice Tully Hall in New York. Weston wrote his work "Ancient Future" for violinist Regina Carter and his African Rhythms Orchestra. Perez wrote "Freedom of Colors" for his Motherland Project that focuses on a pan-American jazz synthesis.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... trumpeter Roy Hargrove's quintet is at the Village Vanguard. The Joe Zawinul Syndicate is at the Blue Note tonight. The Satoshi Inoue-Peter Bernstein guitar duo is featured this afternoon in the East Meets West jazz brunch at the Blue Note. There's a guitar spectacular double billing at Iridium featuring the Pat Martino band with special guest Joey DeFrancesco plus the Great Guitar Trio of Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden and Frank Vignola.

The Joanne Brackeen quartet featuring Ravi Coltrane is at the Jazz Standard. The Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band is at Birdland tonight. Vibraphonist Matthias Lupri's quintet featuring saxophonist Mark Turner is at the Cornelia Street Cafe tonight. Trombonist Chris Washburne and his SYOTOS band bring Latin jazz to Smoke on the Upper West Side each Sunday night.

In Chicago... Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman are at The Chambers in Niles. The Kimberly Gordan trio is at the Green Mill. Basilio Marquez and Eclipse are at HotHouse. Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues are at the Jazz Showcase. The Sonny Turner quintet is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. Tim Green and Tim McNamara are at Katerina's this noon. Kara Kesselring is at Philander's in Oak Park.

In New Orleans tonight... New Orleans Street Beat is at the Crescent City Brewhouse. Earl Brown is at Cafe Sbisa. The Hot Club of New Orleans swing band is at the Circle Bar. Heather and the Monkey King are at Cobalt. Big Sam's Funky Nation and the Evan Howard are at the Funky Butt.

Jim Hlavac is at Giovanni's. Trombone Shorty is at the Maple Leaf. Lucien Barbarin is at Palm Court. The Olympia Brass Band is at Preservation Hall. Philip Manuel is at Snug Harbor. The Dixie Trio is at the Seaport Cafe.

In California... pianist Jacky Terrasson's trio is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. The Sunday Jazz Band features trombonist Andy Martin tonight at Charlie O's in Valley Glen. John Giannelli and Friends are at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. Yoshi's in Oakland features pianist McCoy Tyner tonight as part of his ninth annual two-week residency.