Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is March 30.

English trombonist and bandleader Ted Heath was born this day in London in 1900. Emulating the Swing era sound coming from the bands of Tommy Dorsey and Woody Herman, he led a dance band that was the best known in Britain through the 1950s. He died in 1969.

Jazz composer, conceptualist and multi-instrumentalist Karl Berger was born this day in 1935 in Heidelberg, Germany. He has been drawn deeper and deeper into the abstract side of music, working with Ornette Coleman, Steve Lacy and Don Cherry.

In 1971, Berger moved to Woodstock, N.Y., where he formed the Creative Music Studio. He brings in leading jazz players to create large orchestral works with his students.

Pianist John Eaton was born this day in 1935. He is a keyboard legend in and around Washington, D.C., making few visits to other parts of the country.

Avant-garde pianist Marilyn Crispell was born this day in 1947 in Philadelphia.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... saxophonist Eric Alexander's quartet is at the Village Vanguard. Saxophonist Gato Barbieri is at the Blue Note. Guitarist Bireli Lagrene's Gypsy Project is at Iridium this week. Trumpeter Dave Douglas winds down his multi-faceted 40th birthday week at the Jazz Standard tonight with his septet.

Freddie Bryant and The Rhythm Section, featuring pianist Edsel Gomez, are at Sweet Rhythm. Peter Leitch and Jed Levy are at Walker's in Greenwich Village. Trombonist Chris Washburne's SYOTOS Latin jazz band is at Smoke on Sunday nights. Singer Mark Murphy is at the Cold Spring Harbor Arts Center tonight.

In the Boston area... the Chucho Valdes quartet with special guests Joe Lovano and Mayra Caridad Valdes are at the Berklee Performance Center tonight. Louise Grasmere is at The Regattabar in Cambridge. The Greg Burk trio is at the Center for the Arts in Natick tonight. Fractal performs tonight in the Jazz in the Sanctuary series at The Church of Our Saviour in Brookline.

In Philadelphia ... Philorch Jazz is at the Kimmel Center for a free concert this noon.

Trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and Big Bop Nouveau are at Ashland Middle School in Ashland, Ohio, this afternoon.

In and around Chicago... Marlene Rosenberg is at Andy's. Carmen Stokes is at the Backroom tonight and Monday. Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman are at The Chambers in Niles. Bill O'Connell's Chicago Skyliner's Big Band is at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn. The Kimberly Gordon trio is at the Green Mill tonight.

The Houston Person quartet is at The Jazz Showcase tonight. The Sonny Turner quintet is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. The Tim Green and Tim McNamara trio is at Katerina's. The Don Stiernberg quartet is at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston tonight. Kara Kesselring is at Philander's in Oak Park tonight.

The National Jazz Museum, in collaboration with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra Association, will present "Something To Live For: A Tribute to Billy Strayhorn" at The Harold Washington Library this afternoon. Guest soloists include trumpeter Orbert Davis, saxophonist Eddie Johnson and singer Frieda Lee.

On the New Orleans jazz scene... Earl Brown is at Cafe Sbisa. The Hot Club of New Orleans swing band is at the Circle Bar. The Shannon Powell quartet is at Donna's. Leroy Jones is at Dos Jefes. Rob Wagner's New Thing is at the Dragon's Den.

Ryan Burrage and the Rhythm Makers are at Fritzel's. Big Sam's Funky Nation and the Just-Off-the-Boat Refugee Jazz Band are at the Funky Butt. Lucien Barbarin and the Sunday Night Swingsters are at the Palm Court. The Olympia Brass Band is at Preservation Hall. Mose Allison is at Snug Harbor.

The Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas honors jazz composer-arranger Johnny Pate with an 80th birthday celebration this afternoon at the Judy Bayley Theater. Scheduled performers include Monty Alexander, Kenny Burrell, Ron Carter, Shirley Horn, Harvey Mason, James Moody, Marlena Shaw and Phil Woods.

All of the music on the program has been composed and/or arranged by Pate and will be conducted by him. Pate will be joined by the UNLV Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Bruce Paulson, who was lead trombonist in the Doc Severinsen Tonight Show Band for 21 years.

In California... the Steve Turre quintet is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles tonight. Jim Snidero is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. The Sunday Jazz Band features saxophonist Benn Clatworthy at Charlie O's in Valley Glen tonight... and alto saxman Richie Cole rehearsing his seven piece band this afternoon. Barbara Morrison is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton tonight. Toots Thielemans and Kenny Werner are at Yoshi's jazz club in Oakland.

There's a fundraiser this afternoon at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood to help pay for stroke recovery therapy for jazz saxophonist Buddy Collette. Participating musicians include Richard Simon, Ann Patterson, Ndugu Chancler, Al Viola, Bobby Rodriguez, Phil Sobel, Dave Koonse and Stacey Rowles.