To the beach!

For the next week, I'll be at the beach catching up on some reading, listening to some jazz and doing various beachy things.

Before I go, some news: Brian Hogans is heading into the studio next week to record an album slated for release this fall. ... According to Tony Wasilewski of HotShoe Records, Audrey Shakir's new CD, If You Could See Me Now, is in the mastering stage and will hit the shelves in late August. I've been listening to the final mix for a few weeks; it's a solid selection of songs anchored by a stellar rhythm section (pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Reginald Veal and drummer Justin Varnes). ... A tentative October release has been set for the DVD/CD package of Joe Gransden's live set at Churchill Grounds, recorded the weekend of June 19. The album includes three standards and a good amount of originals penned by Gransden and pianist Bill Anschell.