Friends of Allen Jackson Plan Benefit : Tribute: A myriad of artists will perform in a concert Sunday to aid the bassist, who is suffering from bone cancer.

Singers Ernie Andrews, O. C. Smith, Ruth Price, Bill Henderson and Sandy Graham are just five of a myriad of Los Angeles jazz artists taking part in “A Celebration of Love,” a tribute and benefit for bassist Allen Jackson, who’s currently undergoing treatment for cancer of the bone. The event takes place Sunday, 4-9 p.m., at the clubhouse of the Chester Washington golf course, 120th St. and Western Avenue, Los Angeles, and a donation is requested.

“A lot of people love Allen; he’s such a sweetheart, it’s hard not to. He’s a very humorous person, always keeping everyone else up, not to mention the fact that he’s a fine musician,” said singer Lorez Alexandria, organizer of the benefit and an artist who has regularly employed Jackson’s considerable talents. “We’re doing (the benefit) to try and take care of some of his bills, that’s all.”

Jackson, reached at his home where he is resting and recuperating, said he was unsure whether he would attend the benefit. “I’m going to try (to be there), and I will if I feel good,” said the 46-year-old musician who has also played and recorded with the likes of Sonny Stitt, Nancy Wilson and Harry (Sweets) Edison. “Some days are better than others, so I take it one day at a time. I’m working on getting my strength back, so I can get back in the ball game and be able to play.”

The bassist’s personal prognosis is pointedly upbeat. “Right now, this thing has its foot on my chest, but once it lifts off, I’m going to kick its butt,” he laughed quietly. “You won’t be able to find it. It’ll be worse off than Hoffa.”

Alexandria, who is New York today and Saturday making a new album for Muse Records but who’ll return for the benefit, said that numerous Los Angeles area nightclubs--M.K.’s P.O.V., Chadney’s, the Vine Street Bar & Grill, Catalina Bar & Grill and Birdland West among them--are donating dinners and admissions that will be raffled off to those in attendance.

Information: (213) 291-9959 or 748-8918.

FEELING GROOVY: Fans of Ella Fitzgerald will want to know that the First Lady of Song has completely recovered from a recent bout of the flu, complicated by exhaustion, and will be in top shape for her performance Wednesday at the Hollywood Bowl. For the occasion, Ella will be accompanied by pianist Mike Wofford’s trio, with bassist Keter Betts and drummer Bobby Durham, and an orchestra directed by Benny Carter. Showtime: 8 p.m.

Information: (213) 850-2000.

TAPPING INTO TOWN: Guitarist Stanley Jordan, who employs a tapping (or touch) technique, where he taps the strings of his guitar, rather than plucks them, has been around the musical block. He started off as a classicist, then found rock. “Rock was important to me, since it was the bridge that got me from classical to jazz,” said the artist who works Saturday at the Universal Amphitheatre on a bill with fellow plectrist Larry Carlton. “Then jazz taught me that I could be a serious musician as I had been when I was learning the classics, and yet still have fun and play with the blues feeling and spontaneity of rock. I can do everything with jazz.”

On this tour, Jordan’s joined by a tidy duo of bassist Charnett Moffet and drummer Kenwood Dennard, two longtime, and extremely compatible compatriots. “I really like the chemistry we have,” said the Brooklyn-based guitarist whose latest album is “Cornucopia” (Blue Note). “There’s a very free feeling, yet it’s easy to play as one mind.

RIM SHOTS: Musicmasters Inc., the independent mainstream line, has signed a distribution deal with major label BMG. Upcoming September releases from the label include a date with alto mavens Benny Carter and Phil Woods, a tribute to the big bands from drummer Louie Bellson and a two- CD set by Benny Goodman . . . Dorothy Donegan is one of the artists on “Marian McParland’s Piano Jazz,” the nationally syndicated show that airs on KPCC (89.3 FM), Tuesdays (10-11 p.m.) and Wednesdays (9-10 a.m.). Donegan is on Aug. 21-22, and on Aug. 28-29, John Bunch is featured.