Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Jan. 27.

Trumpeter Oran "Hot Lips" Page was born this day in 1908 in Dallas. He accompanied singer Ma Rainey early in his career, then joined Walter Page's Blue Devils and Bennie Moten's band in Kansas City, working briefly with Count Basie as a principal soloist in 1936.

Vibes player Bobby Hutcherson was born this day in 1941 in Los Angeles.

Saxophonist Bob Mintzer, a member of the Yellowjackets band and leader of his own New York big band, was born this day in 1953 in New Rochelle, N.Y.

On this day in 1962, Benny Goodman's band flew to the Soviet Union for a tour in 1962, becoming the American first jazz band to play in Russia.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

Sonny Rollins will be honored tonight at the first Nightlife Awards in New York as a "Living Legend of Jazz." Although the tenor saxophonist generally refrains from the award circuit scene, he will be on hand at Town Hall. Critics and entertainment mavens, who voted on nominees in 19 categories, have chosen the Nightlife Awards winners from artists working in New York City nightclubs.

In addition, a special award is to be presented annually to a Living Legend in the Cabaret, Comedy and Jazz categories. This year, those honorees are Julie Wilson, Robert Klein and Rollins. The saxophonist's award will be presented by David Sanborn, who hosted the category-busting music program "Late Night," which was responsible, around 1989, for Rollins and Leonard Cohen sharing television screen time.

On the New York jazz club and concert scene... the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra featuring Lew Tabackin is at Birdland tonight. Eric Person is featured in the Blue Note's New Horizons in Jazz series. Les Paul is at Iridium. The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra is at the Village Vanguard tonight.

In Chicago... there's a No Am/Pro Jam at Andy's tonight. The William Garcia quartet is at Cafe Bolera. Terry Callier and Beyond are at the Green Mill tonight. Yoko Noge's Jazz Me Blues are at HotHouse. There's an avant-garde jazz jam session with David Boykin, Karl E. H. Seigfried and Mike Reed at the Hotti Biscotti Cafe on Monday nights. Kelly Brand is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. The Mike Kocur trio is at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston. Sami Scott is at Philander's in Oak Park. Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman are at Pops for Champagne.

In New Orleans tonight... Earl Brown is at Cafe Sbisa. "Mephpista" with Ikue Mori, Susie Ibarra and Sylvie Courvoisier is at the Contemporary Arts Center. New Orleans Street Beat is at the Crescent City Brewhouse. Bob French & Friends are at Donna's. The Fresh Off the Boat Refugee Jazz Band and Jason Marsalis are at the Funky Butt.

Jim Hlavac is at Giovanni's. Rat Pack Revisited and Riccardo Crespo are at the Neutral Ground tonight. The Dixie Trio is at the Seaport Cafe. Charmaine Neville is at Snug Harbor. The New Orleans Jazz Vipers are at the Spotted Cat.

The We Always Swing jazz series in Columbia, Mo., opens its annual photography exhibit today in the downtown lobby of Boone County National Bank. This year's exhibit features the work of New Orleans-based Herman Leonard.

In California... the Charles Owens group is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. Terry Federoff's Jazz Lite Octette is at Steamer's Jazz Cafe in Fullerton. The Sam Most quartet is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen. Ray Armando's Latin jazz sextet is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. The Royal Hartigan quartet is at Yoshi's in Oakland. The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra directed by Alex Budman is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco.