Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is March 3rd.

Clarinetist Barney Bigard was born this day in New Orleans in 1906. After cutting his musical teeth with King Oliver's band in Chicago, he became a Duke Ellington Orchestra mainstay, playing in the band from 1927 to 1942.

Bass player Jimmy Garrison was born this day in 1934 in Miami. A powerful rhythm player and soloist, Garrison was a member of the John Coltrane Quartet from 1961 to 1966.

This was the day, in 1937, when Benny Goodman opened his historic run at the Paramount Theater in New York. It was an unusual time for the band and the Swing Era, with kids dancing in the aisles in near-riot conditions.

On this day in 1940, Artie Shaw recorded "Frenesi" at the RCA Victor studio in Hollywood with his big band, augmented by 13 string players. The arrangement came from a tune he heard during a six-week convalescence in Mexico from a serious blood disease. "Frenesi" became a big hit and forced Shaw back on the road with his touring band. "Frenesi" was written by Alberto Dominiguez.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

In New York tonight... the Susie Hansen Latin Band is at the El Flamingo nightclub. Toshiko Akiyoshi's Jazz Orchestra is at Birdland. Les Paul is at Iridium. The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra is at the Village Vanguard.

Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center presents Jazz Breakthroughs with host, radio personality and jazz historian Phil Schaap tonight and on March 17. Tonight's program is an evening of music from the 1920s "Jazz Age" featuring tenor guitarist/banjoist Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks. The evening will be devoted to the music of trumpeter Bix Beiderbecke.

The Afro-Semitic Experience is at the Buttonwood Tree in Middletown, Conn., tonight.

Boston's Berklee College of Music presents Piano Week 2003 today through Thursday. The annual series will feature concerts and clinics by visiting artists, Berklee's world-renowned piano faculty, and some of the college's top student pianists.

There's a free jazz concert by pianist JoAnne Brackeen's quartet tonight at the David Friend Recital Hall. On Tuesday, Berklee Piano Department Assistant Chairman Jetro Da Silva presents a free concert with two fellow Berklee alums -- Prince drummer John Blackwell and Berklee Woodwind Chairman Bill Pierce, former saxophonist with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.

In Chicago... the William Garcia quartet is at Cafe Bolera. Terry Callier and Beyond are at the Green Mill. 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. Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman are at Pops for Champagne.

In New Orleans... Earl Brown is at Cafe Sbisa. Bob French and Friends are at Donna's. The Evan Howard band is at the Funky Butt. Mark Braud and Topsy Chapman are at Harrah's. Joe Krown's Organ Combo is at Le Bon Temps Roule. Jonathan Freilich and Friends are at Lounge Lizards. Bonerama plus the Jones are at O'Flahrety's Irish Pub. Charmaine Neville is at Snug Harbor. The Jazz Vipers are at the Spotted Cat. The Li'l Rascals Brass Band is at Tipitina's.

The Rob Wagner trio is at d.b.a.

In California... the California Guitar Trio is at Dizzy's in San Diego tonight with Chapman stick virtuoso Tom Griesgraber opening the show. Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. Joyce Marie Partise's Brazilian jazz quintet is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. The John Peace Superband is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton tonight. Sam Most and Friends are at Charlie O's in Valley Glen. The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra directed by Alex Budman and featuring vocalist Kim Nalley is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco.