Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is March 15.

Cornetist Jimmy McPartland was born in Chicago this day in 1907. He died in 1991.

Trumpeter and bandleader Harry James was born this day in 1916 in Albany, Ga.

The clarinetist and saxophonist Bob Wilber was born this day in 1928 in New York. As a teenager he studied with Sidney Bechet. As a veteran player he has immersed himself in diverse jazz situations.

Pianist Cecil Taylor was born this day in 1933 in New York. He initially was influenced by the style of Dave Brubeck, but by the late 1950s became a jazz abstractionist. Taylor abandoned chord changes and rhythms to play free jazz that is non-tonal and sidesteps conventional jazz rhythms.

Bassist Ugonna Okegwo was born this day in 1962 in London. He has been a frequent collaborator with pianist Jacky Terrasson and trumpeter Tom Harrell.

On this day in 1946, Nat King Cole recorded the Bobby Troupe tune "Route 66" for Capitol Records. From Chicago to Los Angeles, and all over the country for that matter, it soon became a classic that remains a favorite of jazz and popular singers.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... the Eric Reed septet is at the Village Vanguard for two more nights. Saxophonist James Carter's quintet is at Iridium with special guests Lonnie Smith and Steve Turre. Drummer Roy Haynes is at the Blue Note with Joshua Redman, Scott Colley and Dave Kikoski for his 78th birthday celebration. Kenny Barron and Trio Da Paz are at Sweet Rhythm tonight. Dena DeRose and Giacomo Gates are at The Triad tonight.

The 3rd annual Jazz Composers Collective Festival continues at The Jazz Standard tonight with Ted Nash and Still Evolved, and the Herbie Nichols Project. Pianist Cedar Walton is at Birdland. David Berkman's quartet is at Smoke tonight. The Jazz Gallery continues its Duo Piano Series tonight featuring the Ethan Iverson Duo and Orrin Evans. The Bill Saxton quartet is at the Lenox Lounge in Harlem tonight.

Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins is at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, N.J., tonight.

Singer Abbey Lincoln is at Scullers in Boston. The Christian McBride Band with Ron Blake, Geoff Keezer and Terreon Gully is at The Regattabar in Cambridge, Mass. The Dave Brubeck Quartet is in concert tonight and Sunday afternoon at Harvard University's Sanders Theater in Cambridge. The Jazz Composers Alliance Orchestra with Steve Lacy and Irene Aebi is at Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art Theater. The New Guitar Summit, featuring Jay Geils, Gerry Beaudoin and Duke Robillard, is at The Blue Sky Grille in Somerville tonight.

In Philadelphia... Jacky Terrasson and Stefon Harris are at The Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater tonight. The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble is at Ortlieb's Jazzhaus tonight. The Will Brock quartet is at Zanzibar Blue tonight. Guitarist Jimmy Bruno is at Chris's Jazz Café tonight for a live recording with the Chris Farr trio. Bill Schenk and Mixed Company are at Goat Hollow tonight.

Saxophonist Jim Snidero is at the Haven Lounge in Baltimore tonight.

Buddy DeFranco and Terry Gibbs are in Pittsburgh through Sunday to celebrate the Manchester Craftsmens Guild's 16th anniversary with a tribute to Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman.

Singer Nnenna Freelon is at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland under the auspices of the Tri-C Jazzfest.

In Chicago... Marlene Rosenberg is at Andy's. Charlie Johnson is at the Backroom. Judy Roberts is at The Chicago Firehouse. Sheila Jordan is at the Green Mill tonight. The Tom Muellner trio is at Houston's Restaurant tonight.

The Cyrus Chestnut trio is at the Jazz Showcase. Bopology is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. Conjunto is at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston. Rankinfyle is at Philander's in Oak Park. Diane Schuur and her trio are at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin, Ill.

The Dave Holland Big Band is at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis tonight.

On the New Orleans jazz scene... the Blue Universe Quartet featuring Sheik Rasheed is at the Blue Nile tonight. Earl Brown's trio is at Cafe Sbisa. Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias are at Donna's. Jacques Gauthe and Jamie Wight are at Fritzel's.

Devin Phillips' Hot Shots and Astral Project are at the Funky Butt. Mark Braud and Topsy Chapman are at Harrah's. Big Sam's Funky Nation plus Velvet Jones and Thumpasaurus are at the Maple Leaf. Sista Teedy's Bootleg Operation is at the New Orleans Grand Hotel.

Lionel Ferbos is at the Palm Court. John Brunious leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. Brian Coogan is at Rene Bistrot. Nicholas Payton is at Snug Harbor. Banu Gibson and her New Orleans Hot Jazz band are at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park this afternoon.

The Ron Wilkins quartet is at Carmen's de la Calle Cafe in San Antonio tonight. The Jim Cullum Jazz Band is at The Landing. David Parker, Carl O'Laughlin and Greg Norris are the house band at the Dolores del Rio tonight. Latin Connection is at Swig.

Singer Allan Harris is at the Colony restaurant in Aspen, Colo., tonight

In California... Bireli Lagrene is at East County Performing Arts Center in El Cajon. The Charles Lloyd quartet is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Sunday. The Jack Sheldon quartet is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. Saxophonist Gil Bernal is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen tonight with the John Heard trio.

The Francisco Aguabella Latin jazz band is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton. Brenda Boykin is at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco. Frank Morgan and Sonny Fortune are at Yoshi's jazz club in Oakland through Sunday. New Orleans-based Bonerama is at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco tonight.

Pianist David Benoit is at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle through Sunday.

Toronto's Dave McMurdo quintet is at The Cellar in Vancouver, British Columbia, tonight. The MRC trio - consisting of violinist Hugh Marsh, drummer Barry Romberg and cellist Rufus Cappadocia -- is at the Western Front.