Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Feb. 10.

Bandleader Chick Webb, one of the greatest Swing Era drummers, was born this day in 1909 in Baltimore. He was just 30 when he died after a long battle with tuberculosis of the spine. Singer Ella Fitzgerald sang "My Buddy" at Chick Webb's funeral, and took over leadership of his band for the next two years.

Pianist Roland Hanna, who became "Sir Roland Hanna" after he was knighted by the president of Liberia in 1970, was born this day in 1932 in Detroit.

Bass player and veteran jazz educator Rufus Reid was born this day in 1944 in Sacramento, Calif.

On this day in 1969, jazz drummer Paul Barbarin died in New Orleans at age 67 while marching in a street parade. Barbarin was a key figure in the development of early jazz in the Crescent City. Like many New Orleans families, Barbarin's had a musical legacy passed down across the generations.

His father was a local brass player of renown, three of his brothers were musicians, and Paul was the uncle of early jazz great Danny Barker. He played with many of the biggest names in early jazz, including Freddie Keppard, Jimmie Noone, Luis Russell, King Oliver, Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong. Barbarin often led the Onward Brass Band in parades in later life.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... Angela Stribling is in the Monday night spotlight at the Blue Note. The Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra is at Birdland. Les Paul is at Iridium on Mondays. The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra is at the Village Vanguard.

The Cab Calloway Orchestra is at the State Theater in Cleveland this afternoon.

In and around Chicago... Bobby Lewis is at the Backroom. The William Garcia quartet is at Cafe Bolera Terry Callier and Beyond are at the Green Mill. Yoko Noge's Jazz Me Blues are at HotHouse on Mondays. There's an avant-garde jazz jam session with David Boykin, Karl E. H. Seigfried, and Mike Reed at the Hotti Biscotti Cafe. Kelly Brand is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. The Long Count Quartet is at Joy Blue. The Mike Kocur trio is at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston. Sami Scott is at Philander's in Oak Park.

In New Orleans tonight... Earl Brown is at Cafe Sbisa. Bob French's band is at Donna's. Jeesok Kim and Soul U Out featuring Maurice Brown are at the Funky Butt. Warren Batiste is at Lounge Lizards tonight. Reginald Koeller leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. Charmaine Neville is at Snug Harbor tonight. The New Orleans Jazz Vipers are at the Spotted Cat. The Rob Wagner trio is at d.b.a.

In California... Big Band 2000 with Luretta McCray is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton. The Sam Most quartet is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen. The Joyce Marie Partise Brazilian jazz quintet is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. Tuck and Patti are at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz.

The Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra is at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle tonight.

On the recording front...

Dianne Reeves went into the studio in December to record a new project for Blue Note Records. Under the guidance of legendary producer Arif Mardin, Reeves and her band laid down 11 tracks ranging from jazz standards ("Skylark," "Darn that Dream," "You Go to My Head") to more contemporary material (Stevie Wonder's "Make Sure You're Sure" from the "Jungle Fever" soundtrack). The session featured guest appearances by trumpeter Nicholas Payton and guitarist Romero Lubambo. The CD, "A Little Moonlight," is due to be released Aug. 5.

Double-Time Records is out with a DVD version of "J.J. Johnson - Live In Concert." It took place Feb. 1, 1991, at Kentucky State University with Johnson on trombone, Jamey Aebersold on tenor sax, Phil DeGreg on piano, Tyrone Wheeler on bass, and Art Gore on drums.

Former Herbie Hancock drummer Mike Clark is out with a new recording called "Summertime." It's on JazzKey Records. He's joined by trumpeter Jack Walrath, saxophonists Chris Potter and Bob Sheppard, pianist Billy Childs, and bassists James Genus and Bob Hurst.