Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is March 20.

Pianist Marian McPartland was born in England this day in 1918. In addition to performing regularly on the jazz circuit, McPartland has distinguished herself as a broadcaster. For 24 years, she has hosted the "Piano Jazz" series on National Public Radio. These are programs of historic importance because of her way of getting her peers to play solos and duets and talk with her about music and careers.

Saxophonist and big band leader Larry Elgart was born this day in 1922.

Singer Meredith D'Ambrosio, an artful singer who also has painted many of her CD covers, was born this day in 1941 in Boston.

Pianist Harold Mabern was born this day in 1936 in Memphis.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... the Bill Charlap trio is at the Village Vanguard this week. The Michel Camilo trio is at the Blue Note. The Bobby Hutcherson sextet featuring James Spaulding and Wallace Roney is at Iridium. Organist Joey DeFrancesco's trio and special guests are at The Jazz Standard this week.

Drummer Herlin Riley leads the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in its "Evolution of the Groove" concert. Special guest drummer Joe Chambers will premiere a new commission for this concert that also features original narration by author Stanley Crouch. The Alice Tully Hall concert repeats on Friday. The Victor Jones quintet featuring John Hicks is at Birdland tonight.

Trombonist Chris Washburne's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe on Thursdays. The Jazz Gallery's Duo-Piano Series continues tonight with Anthony Wonsey and Tony Suggs. Singer-guitarist Diane Hubka is at Chez Suzette.

In and around Boston... guitarist Stanley Jordan is at Scullers jazz club in Boston tonight. The Boston Latin Band is at The Regattabar in Cambridge tonight.

Shakera Jones and her quartet are at Ortlieb's Jazzhaus in Philadelphia tonight.

In the Chicago area... the David Sanchez quartet is at The Jazz Showcase through Sunday. The Ron Friedman quintet is at Andy's tonight. Detour is at the Backroom through Saturday.

John Bany, Don Stille and Charles Braugham are at The Chambers in Niles. Judy Roberts is at The Chicago Firehouse. Alan Gresik's Swing Shift Orchestra is at the Green Mill. Eddie Palmieri and La Perfecta II are at HotHouse tonight.

Tim Tobias is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. The John Brumbach quartet is at Katerina's. The Petropolous Organ Trio is at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston. John Wright is at Philander's in Oak Park tonight.

On the New Orleans jazz scene... the Improvisational Arts Council's Acid Test is at the Blue Nile with special guest drummer Cori Walters. Earl Brown is at Cafe Sbisa. Evan Christopher and Tom McDermott are at Donna's. Loren Pickford is at Dos Jefes. Singer John Boutte is at El Matador. Ryan Burrage and the Rhythm Makers are at Fritzel's.

Evan Howard and the Funkin' Horns are at the Funky Butt. Mark Braud is at Harrah's. The Soul Rebels Brass Band is at Le Bon Temps Roule. Lloyd Washington and the Crescent City Joymakers at the Palm Court. Dave Bartholomew leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. Henry Butler is at Snug Harbor. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers are at Vaughan's.

In California... singer-pianist Freddy Cole's quartet is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Sunday. The Bob McChesney quartet is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. Bassist Ernie McDaniel, drummer Frank Wilson and pianist Tateng Katindig are at Charlie O's in Valley Glen.

The Susan Krebs quartet is at Steamer's Jazz Cafe in Fullerton tonight. This is KCSM Night at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco with Vince Lateano, Kenny Washington, Charles McNeal, John Wiitala, Matt Clark and others. The Charles Lloyd quartet featuring Geri Allen is at Yoshi's jazz club in Oakland through Sunday.

Dr. John and the Lower 911 are at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle through Sunday.

The Ross Taggart quartet is at The Cellar in Vancouver, British Columbia, tonight.

On the recording front...

Electric bassist Oscar Stagnaro is out today with his first CD as a leader. "Mariella's Dream" features some of his favorite musicians: Ramon Stagnaro, Paquito D' Rivera, Alex Acuna, Dave Samuels, Edward Simon, Oscar Feldman and Richie Zellon. It showcases rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, Peru and Venezuela in a Latin jazz context.

Alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano is out with his latest recording, an album of infrequently recorded ballad standards called "Deep in a Dream." It's recorded in a partnership project between's Germany's Enja label and Canada's Justin Time records. The tunes include Rodger's and Hart's "Spring is Here," Ray Noble's "The Touch of Your Lips," and Jimmy Van Heusen's "Deep in a Dream." Mariano is better known for his East Indian fusion ensembles. This quartet session features him with pianist Rob Degen, bassist Isla Eckinger and drummer Jarrod Cagwin.

The revitalized Savoy Jazz label is just out with Canadian singer-pianist Carol Welsman's newest project, "The Language of Love." She's making a strong move into the U.S. jazz market after capturing vocalist of the year honors at Canada's 2002 National Jazz Awards.

Pianist Brian Trainor is out with "Tangled Roots" on Summit Records. The trio session was recorded in Valencia, Spain, last year with bassist Richie Ferrer and drummer Jeff Jerolamon. Trainor wrote the material in the late 1980s. He calls it a loosely constructed suite of pieces inspired by a recurring relationship in his life.