JAZZ

Noted New Orleans trumpeter Al Hirt was sidelined over the weekend with an infection in his right (playing) hand and arm, but Hirt said doctors told him his prognosis was excellent. Hirt, 65, said doctors think the problem may be related to his trumpet playing and a growth that has developed on one of his fingers. “I’ve never had anything like this before in my life,” he said. “I’ve been playing for 59 years and I want to keep playing. . . . I’m going to be OK as long as I can keep blowing the trumpet.” Hirt missed concerts in New Orleans and Fairfield, Conn., because of the malady.