Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Jan. 30.

A historically significant event took place in New York on this day in 1917. The Original Dixieland Jazz Band made its first recording. The tune was "Livery Stable Blues." A residency at Rosenweber's restaurant in New York by this all-white quintet from New Orleans attracted Cafe Society and helped launch the Jazz Age of the 1920s.

Trumpeter Roy Eldridge was born in Pittsburgh this day in 1911. Eldridge, known to his colleagues as "Little Jazz," was the link between Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie in the evolution of jazz trumpet styles. He died in 1989.

Pianist Bernie Leighton was born this day in 1921 in West Haven, Conn. He played with Bud Freeman, Raymond Scott and Benny Goodman in the late 1930s and early 40s, and toured the country with Tony Bennett in the early '70s as his musical director.

Bass player Ahmed Abdul-Malik was born this day in 1927 in New York City. Growing up in a multi-racial environment in Brooklyn, he studied both African and Middle Eastern music. In 1984, BMI awarded Abdul-Malik its "Pioneer in Jazz" award for bringing the influence of Middle Eastern music into jazz.

Rhythm and blues star Ruth Brown was born this day in 1928 in Portsmouth, Va. She came to national prominence in 1952 with her hit "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean."

Looking at today's hip happenings...

There's a memorial service at St. Peter's Church in midtown Manhattan tonight for Bob Berg. The saxophonist was killed and his wife, Arja, was seriously injured last month in a storm-related traffic accident on Long Island. Tonight's service has been described as a "gathering of musicians, fans, family and fishermen to pay respects and celebrate a great musician, extraordinary talent and devoted friend."

On the New York jazz scene... the Charles Lloyd quintet is at the Blue Note through Sunday. Buster Williams' Somethin' Else quartet and the T.S. Monk sextet are at Iridium through Sunday. Pianist Fred Hersch's trio is at the Village Vanguard through Sunday. Richard Bona's sextet is at the Zinc Bar tonight.

San Francisco-based Mingus Amungus is at the Jazz Standard tonight. There's a Bronx Horns Tribute to Tito Puente and Horace Silver at Birdland tonight. The Salim Washington sextet is at the Jazz Standard tonight. Trombonist Chris Washburne and his SYOTOS Latin jazz band perform tonight at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.

Moving upstate... saxophonist Mark Whitecage and guitarist Dom Minasi are at The Uptown in Kingston tonight.

The Elvin Jones Jazz Machine is at the Regattabar in Cambridge, Mass., through Sunday. Elsewhere on the Boston area scene... Toots Thielemans, Kenny Werner and Oscar Castro-Neves are at Scullers in Boston through Saturday. Kemp Harris is at Ryles in Cambridge tonight.

Boston-based pianist-composer-educators Ben Schwendener and Marc Rossi perform selections from their recent release, "Living Geometry," tonight at New England Conservatory's Brown Hall. Vibraphonist Gary Burton and singer Donna McElroy are the featured at a "Great American Songbook" concert at the Berklee Performance Center celebrating the music of George Gershwin.

In Philadelphia... Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble are at Tritone tonight.

In Chicago... the Lee Konitz trio is at the Jazz Showcase through Sunday. The Mike Smith quintet is at Andy's tonight. Jazz Vertigo is at Bistro America in Batavia. Mike Finnerty and the Jazz Hippies are at Cafe Ennui. There's a jam session with John Bany, Don Stille and Charles Braugham on Thursday nights at The Chambers in Niles.

Judy Roberts is at the Chicago Firehouse. The Gephart-Long duo is at The Foundry in Fox Valley Mall. Alan Gresik's Swing Shift Orchestra is at the Green Mill. Erwin Helfer and the Chicago Boogie Ensemble are at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. John Brumbach, Randy Tressler, Matt Ferguson and Mike Raynor are at Katerina's.

Alphonse Ponticelli and Swing Gitane are at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston. John Wright is at Philander's in Oak Park. The Dan Cay trio is at Pops for Champagne. Steve Ditzell is at Pops of Highwood. The Ernest Dawkins Ensemble is at the Velvet Lounge tonight.

In New Orleans tonight... the Improvisational Arts Council's Acid Test is at the Blue Nile. The Earl Brown trio is at Cafe Sbisa. Lenny McDaniel is at Cobalt. New Orleans Street Beat is at the Crescent City Brewhouse. Evan Christopher and Tom McDermott are at Donna's. Singer John Boutte is at El Matador. The Evan Howard Band and the Funk 'n' Horns are at the Funky Butt.

The Soul Rebels Brass Band is at Le Bon Temps Roule. The Rob Wagner trio is at Loft 523. Astral Project is at the Maple Leaf. Lloyd Washington and the Crescent City Joymakers are at the Palm Court. Dave Bartholomew leads the band tonight at Preservation Hall. Leslie Smith is at Rene Bistrot. Roland Guerin is at Snug Harbor.

In California... guitarist James "Blood" Ulmer is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Sunday. The Shelly Berg trio is at Steamer's Jazz Cafe in Fullerton. The Ernie McDaniel, Frank Wilson, Tateng Katindig trio is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen. The Bill Cunliffe sextet previews his new CD, "The Music Of Earl Zindars," tonight at Spazio in Sherman Oaks.

Pianist Kenny Barron's quintet is at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco tonight. Singer Julie Kelly is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco tonight with drummer Vince Lateano and pianist Tom Garvin. McCoy Tyner is featured through Sunday with Christian McBride and Lewis at Yoshi's in Oakland.

The Omar Sosa trio is at L'Atelier Volant in Lausanne, Switzerland, tonight.