winning spins by George Kanzler The two tenor saxophonists whose newest albums comprise this month's Winning Spins both have close connections with Wynton Marsalis. Branford Marsalis is his older brother, former bandmate and still occasional musical partner (usually in family band settings); while Ted Nash is a member of Wynton's Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Braggtown (Marsalis Music/Rounder), is the latest from Marsalis' quartet, a band that obviously takes inspiration from the classic John Coltrane quartet, having even previously released a live album of a performance of Coltrane's "A Love Supreme." Like that classic group, it features a compelling tenor and soprano saxophonist; a drummer, Jeff "Tain" Watts, in the same volcanic mold as Elvin Jones; a bassist, Eric Revis, with a deep tone akin to Jimmy Garrison; and, in Joey Calderazzo, a pianist almost as assertive as McCoy Tyner. Yet, despite all those comparisons, Branford's quartet has its own sound and approach. Things are most Trane-ish on the three uptempo pieces with tenor sax that bookend and center the album. The quartet develops a ferocious intensity on the 3-bar riff tune, "Jack Baker," that opens the proceedings, Branford jumping into a solo with trilling insistency and taking off on a blistering attack on scales and riffs at a quicksilver clip. Watts' "Blackzilla," barreling along in a 13/8 time vamp, has Branford's tenor coming on furiously, then slowing down, only to accelerate again as Watts changes up to a fast 4/4. The closing "Black Elk Speaks" recalls such Coltrane social protest pieces as "Alabama." Like them, it is programmatic, a fragmented theme shifting through moods and tempos toward outrage. Branford's tenor rages through speedy exclamations to guttural excavations, ending in a wail compounded by Calderazzo's pounding keys, dissolving into a piano solo with suspended rhythms, bowed bass and a voice intoning "a beautiful day to die" before sax comes back for the finale. The album also includes three tracks featuring soprano sax. Here Branford is much more lyrical, often playing the smaller horn with a lush legato tone. "Hope" begins reflectively and rises to what A.B. Spellman's literate notes aptly call "climactic exultation." "Fate," inspired by a leitmotif in Richard Wagner's "Ring Cycle," rides on an exotic rhythm (Wagner and Ellington on a caravan) and features fetching exchanges between piano and soprano. "Sir Roderick, the Aloof" moves to a shifting, indeterminate rhythm with deep drum accents and a compelling intensity in Branford's soprano solo. The other track is classical composer Henry Purcell's "O Solitude," with Branford's tenor sax assuming an almost vibrato-less classical tone until a solo breakout where he drops an octave and takes on a bluesy edge. In the Loop (Palmetto Records) by Ted Nash & Still Evolved is the second album from this finely meshed quintet, an off-shoot of Nash's other New York involvement, the Jazz Composers Collective, with Collective members on piano (Frank Kimbrough), bass (Ben Allison) and drums (Matt Wilson). Rounding out the band is his LCJO bandmate Marcus Printup on trumpet. Nash has a much more overtly lyrical approach to post-Coltrane tenor than Branford Marsalis, and a uniquely intricate and adventurous take on the sax-trumpet quintet format. His original tunes - all nine of the tracks here - can be dreamily melodic or post-bopically episodic. Each piece has its own sound and logic, so much so that it's hard to believe the same musicians are involved in every track. Can that hard, trinkling piano on the circus-like title track be the same as the romantically lush one soloing on the dreamy "Kensington High"? Is that gutbucket trumpet sound on "In the Loop" coming from the same horn as the ethereal musings (overdubbed or phase-shifted) on "The Cubist"? The piano-less quartet track, "Café Dupa" has the outré quality of an early Ornette Coleman quartet, while "Gritty Ditty," with its four-note riff with sustained fifth note theme followed by horn bursts and vocalizing, rhythmic dropouts and tempo shifts, recalls Charles Mingus' Jazz Workshop bands. The nimble Wilson takes a mostly hand-on-drums solo throughout "Push," as all the while the others play themes and solos. "Durning's Dance," the longest track at almost 11 minutes, is also the most elaborate, nonetheless flowing with consummate logic. Slow a cappella turns by trumpet, bass, sax and drums lead into a fast theme giving way to a series of exchanges, trumpet and tenor each taking 8 bars each time, Wilson only four bars. A slower tempo introduces a second theme, with different lines from trumpet and sax. Piano solos over a rhythmic swing groove accented by metronomic rim shots and cushioned by horns. Cymbal splashes end the piano excursion ushering in the a cappella trumpet and a brief ensemble coda for a very satisfying trip. Branford Marsalis performs with his quartet at the Jazz Standard on October 5-8. The Ted Nash ensemble holds forth at Dizzy's on October 17-22. SPOTLIGHT BY PAUL BLAIR AND GEORGE KANzler REGINA CARTER BIRDLAND/OCTOBER 18-21 Ms. Carter is yet another important player whose resume includes training in the music program at Detroit's Cass Tech High School. This jazz violinist's 2006 CD, I'll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey (Verve) is filled with engaging treatments of songs that her late mother used to enjoy. At press time, we're not certain about the size or configuration of the group she'll head at Birdland, or what material they'll present. But her sidemen just might include the same guys who backed her on that top-selling CD: pianist Xavier Davis, bassist Matthew Parrish, and drummer Alvester Garnett. PB MOSE ALLISON TRIBECA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER/ NOVEMBER 9 This Highlights in Jazz series concert, which has been titled "We Call It Music," could also be billed as "Give The Drummer None," since no percussionists are listed as attractions. Allison, the Mississippi blues drawler and blues/bop pianist, is joined on the bill by another singer-instrumentalist, guitarist Marty Grosz, who's paired with tenor saxophonist/clarinetist Ken Peplowski for what promises to be an eclectic, humorous set. There'll be another promising trio on hand, too: alto saxophonist Charles McPherson, pianist Ronnie Matthews and bassist Ray Drummond and producer Jack Kleinsinger’s surprise guest . GK DAVID GILMORE JOE'S PUB/OCTOBER 9 Though guitarist Gilmore has played on at least 50 albums, we last heard him as leader on a 2001 release. Now several splendid tracks from his second CD, Unified Presence (RKM), are audible at www.davidgilmore.net. This 7:30 PM set at Joe's will serve to launch that new one, which also includes participation by Ravi Coltrane, Tain Watts and (on one especially fetching track) Chilean singer Claudia Acuna. Gilmore plays both the electric and acoustic instruments with commanding skill. If we're currently experiencing, as some have suggested, a new golden age of jazz guitar, Gilmore is one prime reason. Look for this show to sell out. PB NICK RUSSO 55 BAR/OCTOBER 4 If your tastes are eclectic, you'll probably enjoy Ro, guitarist Russo's latest CD because his are, too. There's a bit of free playing, some Indian raga and a healthy measure of straightahead swing. Assisting him is a hand-picked ensemble of eleven (Mark Turner, Ari Hoenig and vocalist Miles Griffith among them), just about all of whom are expected to be on hand for this 55 gig. This youthful vet has already played and/or recorded with Jimmy McGriff, Eddie Henderson, Ed Schuller, Teddy Charles, Vince Giordano's Nighthawks and the Frank & Joe Show. Maneuvering his large cast onto and off of the 55's stage may require some deft footwork. PB BRAD MEHLDAU VILLAGE VANGUARD/OCTOBER 10-15 In the estimation of many critics and fans, this trio of Mehldau, piano, Larry Grenadier, bass, and Jeff Ballard, drums, represents a 21st century second coming of the Bill Evans’s Trio. Therefore, it's fitting they'll be playing in the hallowed underground of the Vanguard, where Evans most famous trio recorded its definitive album. Mehldau reflects some of Evans' introspection, although the younger pianist is more prone to over-romanticizing self-indulgence. But when it's his wont, he can also swing nimbly in a way that'll make this superior rhythm section a definite asset. House on Hill is the most recent of his Nonesuch jazz CDs. GK CHRISTIAN McBRIDE BLUE NOTE/OCTOBER 3-8 When bassist McBride first burst onto the scene c. 1990, he was widely acclaimed as a likely successor to Ray Brown - and quickly became so busy backing top leaders like Bobby Watson, John Hicks and Freddie Hubbard that he dropped out of Juilliard. There's since been a much-praised series of CDs under his own name; his most recent, Live at Tonic, fills three discs and demonstrates his prowess on the electric bass, his first instrument as a kid in Philly. For this tribute to Brown's legacy, McBride leads an acoustic quartet that also includes Benny Green and Russell Malone - and backs Dee Dee Bridgewater's vocals. PB PETE ROBBINS BAR 4/OCTOBER 2 Just back from a bunch of appearances in Copenhagen - and riding high on positive reviews for his Waits and Measures CD on the Playscape label - altoist Robbins has a busy autumn ahead. For this Brooklyn show, he'll preview pieces written on a Chamber Music America grant. In the past, he's curated a series of Cornelia Street Cafe shows that brought in notables like John O'Gallagher, Bill McHenry, Uri Caine and Dave Douglas - and been so successful that his work as organizer may have overshadowed his own playing. But this intriguing new Playscape release, a sextet effort, will definitely appear on many Best-of-2006 lists. Ours, for one. PB MIGUEL ZENON JAZZ GALLERY/OCTOBER 20 AND 21 On his latest album, Jibaro (Marsalis Music/Rounder), which he'll be showcasing during these evenings, alto saxophonist Zenon pays tribute to the rural music of his homeland, Puerto Rico. But twenty-something Zenon's music is not "Latin Jazz" in the traditional sense. With a penetrating tone and searing yet melodic conception, he's much more a jazz saxophonist than a Latin band-style player. What's more, he fronts a quartet with traditional jazz instrumentation rather than a percussion-heavy Afro-Latin outfit. Here and at William Patterson University on Oct. 8 he’ll be joined by pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Hans Glawischnig and drummer Henry Cole. GK JEROME SABBAGH BAR NEXT DOOR/OCTOBER 13 What great critical notices this French-born saxophonist has been getting lately: "Self-assured...admirable focus...uncontrived ideas...open lyricism...sounds like the real deal." His new Fresh Sound New Talent CD, North, pairs him in a quartet front line with Ben Monder, one of the decade's better guitarists for nine Sabbagh originals. Monder, apparently, can't make the 9:00 PM Bar Next Door gig - but bassist Joe Martin and drummer Rodney Green will. They'll do some standards as well. And if you haven't yet visited this below-street-level listening room, you'll be surprised at just how close you can get to whatever's being played and those playing it. PB BOBBY SANABRIA TRIBECA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER/ OCTOBER 20 A product of the South Bronx - and nurtured by that neighborhood's lively Latin-jazz club scene - Sanabria is a real sparkplug in the music's continuing evolution. A percussionist, bandleader, record producer and educator, this Berklee grad (heard in the past with Mario Bauza, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie and other big guns) has always been eager to take his groups into city schools and win new fans for the style. For this show, he'll lead the sort of roaring big band that makes sitting still virtually impossible. By the way, Bobby's recently been honored with inclusion among local celebs on the Bronx Walk of Fame. PB JAZZ IN JERSEY BY FRED McINTOSH JERRY VIVINO SHANGHAI JAZZ/OCTOBER 7 Vivino has called his show "Louis Prima meets Sonny Rollins meets Louis Jordan." He will bring it to Shanghai October 7. With him will be Lew Soloff trumpet, Brian Charette piano, Mike Merritt bass and James Wormworth drums. And Jerry will contribute his tenor sax and vocals. Vivino has been on Conan Obrien's show for many years and has played with everyone from Keely Smith, through Bette Midler and Dr. John to Wynton Marsalis and Bruce Springsteen. Jerry calls Gatotail Jackson, Red Prysock and Sam Butera his inspirations. His latest is Walkin' With The Wazmo on Zoho records. NICK DECARLIS JAZZ IN BRIDGEWATER/OCTOBER 21 Nick DeCarlis must love cornets. He collects them and even established a group of like-minded souls that calls itself The Cornet Conspiracy. Happily, he's also an authority on Bobby Hackett's music and is set to lead a group at the Somerset Country VoTec Theater to mark the thirtieth anniversary of Hackett's passing. Though his own playing reflects the influence of brassmen like Ruby Braff, Warren Vaché and even Chet Baker, Bobby was obviously his main man. Joining him on this occasion will be Dan Block (clarinet and saxophones) John Sheridan (piano), Scott Philbrick (guitar), Frank Tate (bass) and Kevin Dorn (drums). STANLEY JORDAN TRUMPETS/OCTOBER 20 AND 21 Stanley's back, after some time off for physical, spiritual and musical healing, and Trumpets customers can enjoy his guitar work on two successive evenings this month. Remember his much-discussed Magic Touch album, issued back in 1984? His tapping (as opposed to plucking or strumming) technique on the instrument caused quite a stir. He'd honed it while playing for change on New York streets. Bruce Lundvall signed him to a Blue Note contract, and now he's back with that label once more. For some idea of what Jordan's been playing lately, check out Ragas, which also features Jay Kishor on sitar and Vedang Londhe on tabla. MISHA PIATIGORSKY CORNERSTONE/OCTOBER 18 This pianist/arranger with several film scores to his credit leads a trio into this Metuchen venue. Scott Ritchie will play bass and Willard Dyson will drum. Misha, who's studied with Kenny Barron, cites Monk and Jarrett as primary influences, and also voices admiration for Joao Bosco and Brad Mehldau. Expect a careful mixture of standards and original compositions. Two other factlets worth noting: he won the Thelonious Monk Institute's Composer Award in 2004 - and yes, he is indeed the famed cellist Gregor's grand-nephew. Preview Misha's keyboard approach on a Twinz Records release by the group called Trio Del Sol.   THIS TRAIN: ALICE COLTRANE'S MUSICAL AND SPIRITUAL JOURNEY by Robert Abel Turiya Alice Coltrane's upcoming performance at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center will be an historic one. Mrs. Coltrane has not performed on the East Coast since a Town Hall concert in New York in 1998. And that concert, designed not only to announce her return to the public performing arena but to celebrate the musical coming-of-age of her son, tenor saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, was actually her first in 26 years. In addition, one segment of the NJPAC program will be devoted to honoring and celebrating John Coltrane's "anniversary year," as Mrs. Coltrane phrased it in a recent interview. John Coltrane died of liver cancer in 1967 and would have been 80 on Sept. 23. Appearing with Mrs. Coltrane will be Ravi plus long time associates Jack DeJohnette on drums and Charlie Haden playing bass. Another of Mrs. Coltrane's sons, Oran, may also join on alto sax. This group is slated to perform together only twice more in the coming year. Reggie Workman, the bassist in Coltrane's pioneering 1960s quartet, who's gone on to a great career of his own, is also expected to make a guest appearance. Of Haden and DeJohnette, Mrs. Coltrane said: "These are such wonderful musicians, immensely creative and spirited. I don't have a sense of time passing at all when I meet them. It's as though I saw them in the studio just yesterday and it's easy to pick up right where we left off." The concert will be recorded "at least for archival purposes," Mrs. Coltrane said, "but whether an album will result hasn't been worked out yet." Asked if she's forsaken playing club dates, Mrs. Coltrane responds, "I really don't have the luxury of time for that. You know, I did that in my youth, and we traveled all over - Detroit, Chicago, you name it, we went everywhere. Ravi is doing that right now, and he's busy all the time, playing in some places five times a week. But it's just not something I have time for." Mrs. Coltrane played piano, harp and Wurlitzer organ in the 1950s and early 1960s with a number of bebop musicians - vibist Terry Gibbs and pianist Barry Harris among them - in what has been called "the Golden Age of Detroit Jazz." In 1966, she also played piano in John Coltrane's quartet, replacing McCoy Tyner in that role. Carlos Santana and Pharaoh Sanders are among other musicians she's collaborated with. A 1971 Impulse LP, Alice Coltrane with Strings, suggests the foundation of Mrs. Coltrane's musical personality from which she has evolved. On the cover is her portrait. She wears a striped dashiki and her Afro-style hair appears to be wind blown. Illustrations of Peter Max, a popular psychedelic artist of the period, frame the portrait, then run through the centerfold and onto the back. Inside are two other photos, one with guru Satchdiananda, white beard flowing across his chest. Mrs. Coltrane stands just behind, this time dressed in a sashed tunic with an Indian design. A poem celebrates the Supreme Love. Among the many string players present, Reggie Workman's name stands out. Although she retired from public performance for an extended period, Mrs. Coltrane has never stopped playing. Her music was private and "devotional" in nature, she says, reflecting her deepening interest in Hindu beliefs and practices. A devotee of Swami Satchdiananda, she now leads an ashram in Agoura, CA, where she's known as Swamini Turiyasangitananda. Mrs. Coltrane's latest CD, Translinear Light (released by Impulse in 2005) reveals an uncanny blend of blues, jazz and raga sensibilities and, though sometimes meditative in character, is anything but solemn. One piece in particular, "This Train," transforms a powerful old gospel tune into something both witty and joyous. Mrs. Coltrane's exchange with Charlie Haden sparkles. "I know there are different forms of music," Mrs. Coltrane says. "But music is spiritual if your direction is towards God. Music is able to transcend the language barrier, and speak directly to the heart, to your soul, and your spirit. I don't have any conflict. I'm the same person, and when I'm playing it's the same person, the same energy, the same life expressing itself through the medium of music. I see music as the language of ascension, language leading to a higher level of consciousness." Asked to explain the meaning of "Translinear Light," Mrs. Coltrane says: "To transcend means you are moving straight forward. There is no retrogression and no turning aside. You are moving in a direct line toward your object. My object, of course, is to go as close to God as possible. Moving beyond the material world toward the divine - that's the meaning of 'translinear light.'" "And how many people are blocked from that path today?" Mrs. Coltrane continues. "They're obsessed with the past or otherwise blocked from attaining their potential. These are times that call out for reflection and for peace. Peace. We need it. We really need it now." Alice Coltrane's quartet plus guests appear at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center at 5:00 PM on October 22. Have saxophone, will travel - Tenor player Harry Allen is on the move by ken Franckling It's a rare thing when tenor saxophonist Harry Allen gets to spend a full week in one place. When it occurred in mid-September, ironically, the place happened to be moving. The busy swing tenor was aboard the Crystal Symphony on a week-long Arbors Records-Jazzdagen Tours cruise up and down the New England/eastern Canada coast. In July, he had an even zanier week. He followed three successive nights of performances at different venues in Rhode Island with three days of recording back in New York, flew to Belgium for one day for a gig, came back to New York for another single concert commitment, then jetted back to Europe for a brief tour. "I do a lot of nutty stuff like that," Allen says, matter-of-factly, noting that he's also booked to do a single over-and-back concert with Trio da Paz - in Taiwan. Allen will be spoiled by another full week in one place, well, at least six days anyway, when he performs with Trio da Paz at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola October 10-15 with two other special guests, singer Maucha Adnet and vibes player Joe Locke. The identical lineup was last together at the Jazz @ Lincoln Center venue in July 2005 for a similar Brazilian Nights celebration of the music of Stan Getz, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Cal Tjader. The association with Trio da Paz, featuring guitarist Romero Lubambo, bassist Nilson Matta and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca, evolved quite naturally over time, Allen says. "Ever since I got into Stan Getz, I've loved Brazilian music. I feel it is one of the three great musics of the world - classical, jazz and Brazilian. I had hired Duduka and Maucha to be on one of my records. The company I record for in Japan likes me to do a Brazilian album every other record. Trio da Paz kept popping up more and more." And Allen likes the chemistry they have developed more and more. "I've found a big difference working with Brazilian musicians versus American musicians playing Brazilian music. I always felt like an outsider, because they grew up with it and I didn't. They are rhythmically miles ahead of us. I feel lucky that they enjoy working with me." Ever since he sat in at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1983 with the Newport All-Stars - at age 16 - Allen - who will turn 40 this month during the week-long gig at Dizzy’s - has been on the move, figuratively and literally, with a career somewhat paralleling that of his good friend Scott Hamilton (though 12 years apart). He just recorded his 21st or 22nd CD for Japanese producer Ikuyoshi Hirakawa. Their association began at the Japanese Victor Corp. (formerly part of RCA/BMG). When Sony bought BMG, Allen moved with Hirakawa to his current label, Swing Brothers. "I've done two CDs a year for him for 10 years or more," Allen said, which are all available on his website: www.harryallenjazz.com. Some are licensed to other labels in the U.S., including Arbors, which released the latest: Hey Look Me Over featuring his most frequent working group, the Harry Allen-Joe Cohn quartet, that includes Joe Cohn (guitar), Joel Forbes (bass) and Chuck Riggs (drums). The quartet won the 2006 Nightlife Award in the “Outstanding Jazz Combo Performance” category and was nominated for the Small Ensemble of the Year award of the Jazz Journalism Association a few weeks later. A new CD recorded this summer will feature Harry backed by pianist Monty Alexander's trio with Hassan Shakur on bass and Herlin Riley on drums. He said it is due out this fall. "It was a fun record. Monty is such a brilliant piano player. I tried to just let his trio do what they do best and fit in with it," Allen says. "It is all soul tunes out of Motown. We completely jazzifed them." Harry Allen will perform with Trio da Paz and special guests Maucha Adnet and Joe Locke at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola October 10 to 15. The Harry Allen/Joe Cohn Quartet can be heard every Monday night at Zuni located 598 9th Avenue between 42nd & 43rd Streets. JAZZWOMEN! BY ELZY KOLB Travelin' Texan Austin-based vocalist/composer Tina Marsh doesn't get to New York nearly often enough, but when she does, she stays busy. This time around, Tina will perform with pianist Diane Moser's quintet at Caldwell County College on Sept. 30; with Ron Horton (trumpet), Michael Attias (saxophone), and Ken Filiano (bass) at Barbes on Oct. 4; and with her own quartet at Cecil's on Oct. 6 and at Sweet Rhythm on Oct. 10. She'll also conduct symposiums and lectures at several colleges and schools around the region. For a taste of what to expect from Tina, check out her new CD, Volume I Inside the Breaking (CreOp Muse). She usually performs "a mix: standards, originals, poetry and spoken word. We'll do an Ornette song or two, and some Mingus - you can't beat that material, that's just the best," she says. At Barbes, "It will be an edgier style of improvisation. There's no chordal instruments, so it will be more open-ended forms." At Cecil's, more standards will be on the musical menu. Besides her own gigs, Tina can't wait to get out to hear music in the Big Apple. "There's billions of people I'd love to hear," she says. "I'll definitely check out the Mingus band at Iridium. There are so many incredible players in New York, it will be great to see who's around, what we can get to." Blow out the candles Vocalist Jay Clayton celebrates her senior status with a 65th birthday gig at Sweet Rhythm on Oct. 25. "I got my Medicare card in the mail last week. I can't believe it myself," she says. "I decided that although I don't do birthday concerts that much, this time I will. I feel in my prime, I don't feel old." Jay stays busy with a variety of projects, including one duo with pianist Kirk Nurock and another with guitarist Jack Wilkinson, a group that performs standards, and more. She has plenty of plans, musical and technical. Jay hopes to record in November, and "When I grow up I'm going to get a Blackberry," she says. Her birthday gig band includes George Cables, Mike Formanek, Gary Thomas, Jane Ira Bloom and Billy Hart. "I love working with those musicians," Jay says, "and hopefully some other people will be sitting in." Best of luck… To pianist/singer Dena DeRose, who's heading for a teaching job at the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz, Austria. She's planning to stop back to visit the Apple regularly over the next five years. On the town Catch saxophonist/singer/composer Sue Terry at the Sunburnt Cow every Tuesday … Champian Fulton sings and plays piano on the early shift at Birdland each Thursday … Stacey Kent sings at Feinstein's at the Regency Oct. 3-14 … Marilyn, aka "the Jazz Bombshell," sings at Sweet Rhythm on Oct. 4 … Early-bird special: vocalist Diana Perez is at Iridium on Oct. 5 … Eri Yamamoto plays piano at Cornelia Street Café on Oct. 5 … Check out the Italian Women in Jazz Festival at Symphony Space on Oct. 3. Looks like a great lineup, including a big band with tenor player/composer Ada Rovatti and pianist Daniela Schaechter; Daniela also fronts her own trio at Sofia's on Oct. 6 … Pianist Nicki Denner celebrates the release of her new CD, Moliendo Café, at Trumpets on Oct. 8 … Carrie Jackson sings at brunch at Iridium on Oct. 8 … Native New Yorker vocalist Sandi Russell returns to New York for a special performance at Sweet Rhythm Oct. 8 ... Catch the Seattle-based Reptet with Samantha Boshnack on trumpet and Tobi Stone on reeds and flute at Tonic on Oct. 9 … Singer Barbara Sfraga and Center Search Quest with keyboardist Mala Waldron appear at the Jazz Standard on Oct. 9 … Amy Horvey plays solo trumpet at Cornelia Street Café on Oct. 10 … Maucha Adnet sings with Trio da Paz at Dizzy's on Oct. 10-15 … Saxophonist Virginia Mayhew celebrates the 20th anniversary of the New School's jazz program with her septet, which includes trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and baritone saxophonist Lisa Parrott. The concert takes place at the New School on Oct. 12 … Pianist Sylvie Courvoisier plays Merkin Hall on Oct. 12 … Vocalist Anne Phillips will be at Iridium on Oct. 12 … Corina Bartra sings at Trumpets on Oct. 15 … Roberta Gambarini sings with the smokin' Alumni All-Stars at the Blue Note on Oct. 17-22; she also appears on the new CD from the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, Dizzy's Business (MCG) … Pianist Leslie Pintchik plays Kitano on Oct. 18; she and her trio just finished recording a CD, keep yours ear open for it … Vocalist Monika H is at 55 on Oct. 18 … Xiomara Laugart sings at Town Hall on Oct. 19, part of the Latin Jazz USA concert … Catch saxophonist Anat Cohen on Oct. 20 at the Rubin Museum of Art on West 17th Street, part of the museum's Harlem in the Himalayas Friday night concert series … Vocalist Stephanie Jordan plays Dizzy's on Oct. 20-21 … Expect Chris McNulty to sing originals plus material by Jobim, Abbey Lincoln and others when she celebrates the release of Whispers the Heart (Elephant Dreams) at Sweet Rhythm on Oct. 24 … Guitarist Sheryl Bailey is at the Jazz Standard on Oct. 24 … Liz Childs sings at the 55 Bar on Oct. 26 … Spin is in Great work from pianist Geri Allen on Timeless Portraits and Dreams (Telarc) … R&B legend Gladys Knight explores jazz standards on Before Me (Verve) … Singer Meredith d'Ambrosio's new Wishing on the Moon (Second Floor) includes pianist Cecilia Coleman … Wild Women Never Get the Blues - especially if they have a great band like vocalist Marguerite Mariama has put together for her new CD on the Powerfight label … Singer Sathima Bea Benjamin has a new compilation, Song Spirit (Ekapa) … Samita Sinha sings on the new Kaash release, Seep (Sinj) … Nancy Osborne sings Hot Swing, Cool Jazz … Julia Dollison sings on Samuel Torres' Skin Tones (One Soul) … Vocals by Carmen McRae get the little ones off to a good musical start on Kind of Blue & Pink (JazzCat) … Andrea Hopkins lends her voice on guitarist Greg Chako's Two's Company. HOT FLASHES BY PAUL BLAIR SOME JAZZ WHOS, HOWS AND WHYS Already underway at the easy-to-reach Jazz Museum in Harlem (212/348-8300) is a free course called "Jazz For Curious Listeners." Among the topics being covered on Tuesday evenings between now and Dec. 12: Jazz Demystified, How to Listen to Jazz, Living Jazz Musicians You Should Know About But Probably Don't, Harlem's Jazz Legacy, Ellington at the Cotton Club and Louis Armstrong in New York. Museum co-director Loren Schoenberg will lead these sessions, assisted by distinguished guest instructors. It's all free, as are those informative and entertaining "Harlem Speaks" seminars, with this month's guests including vocalist Arlene Talley (Oct. 12) and bassist Buster Williams (Oct. 26). It's all detailed at www.jazzmuseuminharlem.org. THREE CDS WE REALLY LIKE Reptet consists of six multi-instrumentalists based in Seattle. You probably don't know any of these players' names - yet - but their new release entitled Do It! on the Monktail label is definitely a winner. Catch them at Bar 4 in Brooklyn on Oct. 6 or at Tonic on Oct. 9 ... Equally inventive and witty are the guys who comprise Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet, whose recent Hyena CD is called Husky. They're actually playing two gigs on October 28: Tonic @ 10:00 PM and then the Blue Note @ 12:30 AM ... On Blues For Dad (Boheme), bassist Dmitri Kolesnik leads the same quintet (with Eric Alexander, Alex Sipiagin, Andrei Kondakov and Lennie White) he'll head at Smalls on Oct. 13-14 and at Smoke on Oct. 19. CAMPUS JAZZ Talented grads return to the New School for performances this month: Virginia Mayhew with a septet on Oct. 11; and John Ellis plus Aaron Goldberg and Mike Moreno with a quintet on Oct. 26. (www.newschool.edu/jazz) ... On Oct. 7, the Manhattan School of Music Concert Jazz Band recalls, at a free concert, the contributions of 50s songwriter/arranger George Handy (www.msmnyc.edu) ... The Jazz Room performance series at William Patterson University continues with Tim Newman's sextet (Oct.1), altoist Miguel Zenon (Oct.8), a Dave Liebman big band (Oct.15), pianist Derek Smith (Oct.22) and vocalist Kevin Mahogany (Oct.29). In each instance, there's a meet-the-artist session at 3:00 PM, followed by music at 4:00 PM. (www.wpunj.edu) ... Advanced student players at Juilliard celebrate the legacies of Herbie Nichols (on Oct.3) and Benny Goodman (on Oct.10). Tickets, though required, are free. (www.juilliard.edu) ... At SUNY-Purchase on Oct.19, pianist Hal Galper's trio does a no-charge gig at 7:30 PM in the Recital Hall ... The Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia offers a "Living With Jazz" program hosted by Dan Morganstern on Oct.7; and a Halloween dance party featuring Bob Stewart's First Line Band on Oct.31 ... NYU's jazz department has instituted a series of Sunday brunches at the Blue Note. This month's leader-of-record is pianist Jean Michel Pilc, who'll play with a faculty quartet on Oct.1. MARQUEE NAMES Also headlining around town this month: Eddie Daniels at Iridium (Oct.19-22) ... Kenny Garrett (Oct.3-7) and Tomasz Stanko (Oct.25-28) at Birdland, with Garrett's gig serving to introduce a remarkable new Nonesuch CD called Beyond the Wall that also features Pharaoh Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson and Mulgrew Miller ... Stefon Harris at Zankel Hall (Oct.19) ... Robert Glasper/Lionel Loueke/Meshell Ndegeocello (Oct.9) and Cecil Taylor/Mark Feldman/Sylvie Courvoisier (Oct.12) at Merkin Hall ... Pianist Michael Weiss at the Village Vanguard (Oct.24-29) leading an outstanding quintet that also includes saxist Steve Wilson ... five, count 'em, five nights of forward-looking trumpeters, including a brassy Butch Morris conduction, during the now-annual FONT Underground Festival at Cornelia Street Cafe (Oct.10-14) ... pianist Ezra Weiss' quartet handling After Hours sets at Dizzy's on Oct.17-21 ... a real knockout of a duo - Peter Brotzman and drummer Han Bennick - doing a pair of Oct.6 sets at the Clemente Soto Velez SEA Theater, 107 Suffolk St. on the Lower East Side ... tenor man Bennie Wallace at the Jazz Standard (Oct.25-29) with a specially assembled nonet saluting Coleman Hawkins' legacy, just as they do on soon-to-be-released Enja/JustinTime disc called Disorder at the Border... Joe Zawinul from the legendary band Weather Report makes his debut performance at Rose Theater (Oct.27-28) in a program focusing on the 70’s fusion movement birthed from the Miles Davis era. ELSEWHERE AND EVERYWHERE This month's seminar in the Chamber Music America series keyed to the needs of professional musicians focuses on getting airplay radio for recordings, with WBGO Music Director Gary Walker offering tips for the frustrated. The date is October 3 (3:00-5:00 PM) and the location is Saint Peter's Church on the East Side ... The Big Apple Jazz at 2236 Seventh Ave. in Harlem (a unique shop you really ought to visit) is offering keyboard instruction for kids every Saturday. Check www.bigapplejazz.com or call 212/283-5299 for details ... Monk in Motion at the Tribeca Arts Center presents the top three finalists in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition in 7:00 PM concerts on Oct. 23, Nov. 6 and Nov. 20. www.monkinstutute.com for info. NORTHERN LIGHTS SHINING AT DIZZY'S On successive Mondays this month, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola welcomes pace-setting jazz groups from various Scandinavian nations. These include Bjorn Thoroddsen & Cold Front from Iceland (Oct. 2); the Ilmiliekki Quartet from Finland on Oct. 9; Swedish pianist Fabien Kallerdahl and his band (Oct. 16); Danish bassist Anne Mette Iversen's quartet from Denmark (Oct. 23); and Norwegian guitarist Lage Lund's quartet (Oct. 30). You'll find lots more info on these players online, of course. Jazz anecdote by bill crow Bill Crow's books "Jazz Anecdotes" and "From Birdland to Broadway" can be found at your favorite bookstore, and at www.billcrowbass.com along with many interesting photos and links. Rudy Tanza was once called for jury duty. He told the judge, "Your honor, I'm a musician. I work late nights. If some guy gets me up at nine in the morning because he's on trial, I hate him already, and as far as I'm concerned, he's guilty." The judge said it made sense to him, and let Rudy go home. Steve Cohen's wife worked for a midtown corporation that provided her with an employee discount card that was honored by the record store on the ground floor of her building. Steve sent her there with a wish list of classical and opera titles. She came back empty handed, but with a good story. She asked a helpful clerk if he had a CD of "Boris Godunov." He answered, "We might. What instrument does he play?" Hal Galper, on the road with his trio, was watching CNN in his hotel room. At the bottom of the screen, a text bar that ran news highlights during the show. One item concerned a small town in Vermont where the local sheriff had a bomb-sniffing dog check out the high school. The dog showed interest in a small black box, and the sheriff slated it for destruction. They later discovered that they had blown up a clarinet. A Moment You Missed by fran kaufman Recording sessions can often be long and exhausting, and there's lots of time between takes. Especially when you're making a guest appearance on a star-filled CD. Pacquito D’Rivera awaits his call, and uses his time between takes for Regina Carter's new Verve release, I'll be Seeing You: A sentimental Journey, to catch up on his z's.