Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is May 31.

Saxophonist Otto "Toby" Hardwicke was born this day in 1904 in Washington, D.C. He was Duke Ellington's alto sax mainstay for about 14 years beginning in 1932.

Drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath, youngest brother in one of the first families of jazz, was born this day in 1935 in Philadelphia. His brothers are saxophonist Jimmy and bassist Percy Heath.

Drummer Louis Hayes was born this day in 1937 in Detroit. He was leading his own band by age 17 and at 18 was touring with Yusef Lateef and Horace Silver. He remains a busy and exciting freelance drummer after a long association with McCoy Tyner.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... the Ron Carter nonet is at Birdland tonight. Drummer Billy Cobham's New Spectrum Band is at Iridium through Sunday. The Cyrus Chestnut trio is at the Jazz Standard this week. The Lou Donaldson quartet is the Village Vanguard through Sunday. Singer Michael Bublé is at the Blue Note.

The Rudresh Mahanthappa trio is at The Jazz Gallery tonight. Dennis Chambers and Victor Wooten join Mike Stern at The Bottom Line tonight. Guitarist Rodney Jones' Soul Manifesto is at Smoke tonight. The Creative Arts Group is at the Lenox Lounge in Harlem tonight.

Radio station WKCR in New York City is holding an on-air festival through Sunday evening celebrating the music of bassist Henry Grimes, who is moving back into the jazz scene after a 34-year absence. Grimes will be at the station tonight, talking about his past, present and future, and performing in a reunion of the 1965 Perry Robinson trio.

Bob Devos and the Gene Ludwig trio are at Trumpets in Montclair, N.J., tonight.

Los Hombres Calientes are at the Summer Start Jazz Festival in East Greenwich, R.I., today. Singer-pianist Daryl Sherman is at Chan's in Woonsocket, R.I., tonight with Harry Allen, Jon Wheatley and Marshall Wood.

In and around Boston... Melvin Sparks is at Ryles in Cambridge tonight. The Ken Clark organ trio is at the Acton Jazz Café. The Jacques Chanier trio is at the Zeitgeist Gallery in Cambridge tonight. The Bruce Katz band is at The Yardrock in Quincy tonight.

In Philadelphia... pianist Orrin Evans' quintet is at Ortlieb's Jazzhaus tonight. Marlon Simon's Latin jazz band is at Chris's Jazz Café tonight. Allan Harris is at Zanzibar Blue tonight.

Today's lineup at America's Smooth Jazz Fest at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md., features the Crusaders, Brian Culbertson, Norman Brown, Mindi Abair and Down to the Bone.

Sammy Nestico conducts the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra tonight at the Fairmount Temple in Cleveland.

In Chicago... the Buster Williams quartet is at the Jazz Showcase through Sunday. Bobby Lewis is at the Backroom. Judy Roberts is at The Chambers in Niles tonight. The Paul Wertico trio is at the Green Mill tonight. Tatsu Aoki's Miyumi Project Special Edition is at HotHouse tonight.

The Tom Muellner trio is at Houston's Restaurant. Bopology is at Joe's BeBop Café and Jazz Emporium. The BMR4 is at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston tonight. Rankinfyle is at Philander's in Oak Park tonight. Henry Johnson's Organ Express is at Pops for Champagne tonight.

In New Orleans... the Blue Universe Quartet featuring Sheik Rasheed is at the Blue Nile tonight. Earl Brown is at Cafe Sbisa. The Treme Brass Band is at Donna's. Jackson Stewart is at Dos Jefes. Ryan Burrage and His Rhythmakers are at Fritzel's.

Devin Philips and Kermit Ruffins are at the Funky Butt tonight. Loren Pickford and Mark Braud are at Harrah's. Lionel Ferbos is at the Palm Court. John Brunious leads tonight's band at Preservation Hall. The Joey DeFrancesco trio is at Snug Harbor tonight. The ReBirth Brass Band celebrates its 20th anniversary tonight at Tipitina's with the Wild Magnolias.

Tonight's Tomato Festival kick-off at the French Market Complex includes a "Battle of the Brass Bands" featuring the New Wave, On Fire and Tornado Brass Bands.

In San Antonio drummer Bobby Sanabria and his band Quarteto Aché are at the Carver Center tonight.

On the California jazz scene... Eddie Palmieri is at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood through Sunday. The Martial Solal trio is at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Sunday. Francisco Aguabella and his Latin jazz band are at Steamers Jazz Café in Fullerton tonight. The Pete Jolly trio is at Spazio in Sherman Oaks tonight.

Saxophonist George Harper is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen tonight with the John Heard trio. Bob DeSena's Latin jazz group is at The Deck in Palm Springs tonight. The Diana Krall quartet is at Yoshi's in Oakland.

Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle through Sunday.