It was truly a pleasure to be a part of such a worthwhile event at a truly fabulous venue. I had never been to Mint Leaf, but upon arrival, I realized why it garnering such rave reviews. The venue features a few “self-serve” wine stations; you use a pre-paid card to select which wine you would like to sample, the machine then dispenses about an ounce or so of that selection. The wines, as if they were purchased by the glass or bottle, have different prices, usually running in the $1 to $3 range from what I saw. Greg, the “Wine Guy” was fantastic guide as to what wine to try. The atmosphere and decor at Mint leaf is great, and while I didn’t have anything to eat, the food smelled wonderful!

While performing I met a talented friend of Mechel’s named Rigel Stuhmiller. Rigel is a fantastic illustrator and printmaker…and since I had her take a couple photos for me, talented photographer as well! Thanks also to personal friends Veronica and Kim for stopping by to support the wonderful cause and listen to some jazz guitar! Thanks!

Thanks again to Pam and Mechel! I wish you all the best on your walk and I, like many others hope there can be a cure to cancers of all kind – sooner rather than later.

Stay “Tuned” and thanks for reading
-Terrence

I first spoke with program director Kevin Chen in 2006 after the release of my first two records, The Calling: Volume One and Two. At that time I inquired about Intersections Jazz composers residency. Kevin mentioned the position was filled for the next two years, but Intersection was producing a show in conjunction with San Francisco’s famed De Young Museum and asked if I would interested in performing. The DeYoung show proved to be that start of a great friendship/partnership between Kevin and I. From day one Kevin proved to be a fan of me and the music I wrote and for that I am truly greatful!!

After the De Young concert I inquired about performing at Intersections performance space. Since Intersection only produces “Jazz at Intersection” once a month slots are limited, but Kevin committed to get the group in as soon as possible…and he lived up to the commitment. The quintet (Kasey Knudsen – Sax, Jarrett Cherner – Piano, Brandon Essex – Acoustic Bass, Micah McClain – Drums) had one of those shows that reminds us all why we do this!! From the moment we arrived Intersections staff/personnel (Josh – Sound/Lights, Phil – “The Jazz Intern”, Chida – /Director of Communication/Front of House, Art – Intersection live music archivist, Scott Chernis – Photographer) made sure we had everything we needed to have a great show. It is truly a pleasure to work a venue and have a mutual respect between the artists and the venue!! The capacity crowd was energetic and hip – just the way we like ‘em!

I look forward to working with Kevin and the folks at Intersection again in the future. Check back to this post in the future as I hope to add some professional photos from Scott Chernis and audio of the concert.

Stay “Tuned” and thanks for reading
Terrence

The strange (and wonderful) thing about the call was that I didn’t really know Eric…we have lots of mutual music friends and we had heard each others names tossed about in the Bay area media/jazz community, but we had never met…never so much as spoken. I knew Eric and I were going to hit off the moment he called me; see he was interested in the same thing I’m interested in – THE MUSIC! It’s not about ego, it’s not about playing with the same guys you always play with and playing the same tunes you always play…nah, it’s about the beauty of creating something new. Eric called a guy (that’d be me) he didn’t know, but had heard good things about and said, “Let’s make some music!”

I was sold…:-)

[Side note...and funny story] Eric first heard about me through Cat (my manager/publicist/wife). She saw him performing with his trio at an event, walked up to him and requested the Stanley Turrentine song “Sugar” and then she said if you don’t know “Sugar” play “Cheesecake” by Dexter Gordon…Eric said he was a little stunned; musicians don’t usually get “obscure” and interesting requests like that from the general public. She then handed him a copy of my first record, The Calling: Volume One, and said, “this is my husband, he plays jazz guitar and manage him”. Eric said he just about tossed Volume One in the pile of CD’s us musicians always get from random folks at random events…but, he took it home, gave it a listen, and liked what he heard. A few years went by and he was listening to KCSM. I was giving an interview that day promoting my latest record, QuintEssential, and my upcoming CD release at Yoshi’s Jazz house in Oakland. Eric put two and two together and made the call…

We set the band lineup (amazing players), Ruth Davies – Bass and Deszon X Claiborne – Drums. Eric and exchanged a few emails, phone calls, and had one short rehearsal at his house. Eric’s a great guy, laid-back, humble, funny; it was a real treat hanging with someone who was such a class player and a nice guy. We had a wonderful show – fantastic turn-out and, more importantly, the music was happenin’! There was definite synergy on stage between Eric and I. Our styles are similar (both finger-style) players, but different enough we compliment each other.

Eric and I have spoken a few more time and we are planing to make some music again soon, with another performance in the not-too-distant future.

Photos by Cat, the “Annie Leibovitz” of the iPhone

Minor Crisis – Eric Swinderman from In Pursuit of the Sound

The Way – Terrence Brewer from The Calling: Volume One

Stay “Tuned” and thanks for reading

The Florida connection started when a good SF Bay area friend (and all around jazz guitar aficionado) of mine, Jeff Kross invited Wendy Durand (the Studio @ 620, St. Petersburg, FL) to come check out the band. After hearing us Wendy thought we would be a good fit and a nice addition to the type of programs the Studio @ 620 was currently running. The Studio @ 620 is a famed St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay area performing arts studio; they showcase everything from art to dance, theater to spoken word, with a little jazz sprinkled in for good measure!

Wendy (along with artistic directors Bob Jones and Dave Ellis) covered our airfare and a few nights stay at, what is arguably, one of the greatest resort hotels in the country, Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club. The logistics of getting a jazz trio (plus Cat – manager/publicist/my wife) complete with acoustic bass, guitars, amps, and some drums across the country is quite a challenge. But, though perseverance, hard work (mostly Wendy – thanks Wendy!!), some scientific engineering by bassist Brandon Essex, and a great airline crew (SouthWest) we did it!

The jazz fans in Florida are amazing. Florida doesn’t have nearly the depth of the jazz scene we have here in the SF Bay area, but the artists who reside there are phenomenally talented and the folks who support the scene come out in full force! We had two standing room only concerts: radio station WMNF on Thursday May 29th and the Studio @ 620 on Saturday May 31st. WMNF (in Tampa Florida) had been playing my latest record, QuintEssential, in heavy rotation since it’s release in March. Cat worked day and night with WMNF all-around-superstar Carrie Core to line up a concert date for the trio. WMNF also did a fantastic job of promoting the show…they are quite a force in the St. Pete/Tampa Bay area (for us SF Bay area folks think KCSM meets KPFA!!). We performed in WMNF’s live music studio with a standing room only crowd; they were hip, enthusiastic, energetic and they love jazz!!

On Thursday morning we had breakfast with Bob Jones who, by the way, is a great cook in addition to being a talented director, artist, and all-around renaissance man! At breakfast wet met a good friend of Bob’s, Herb Snitzer. Herb is the embodiment of jazz history and in specific jazz photo history. You know those shirts you ssee folks wearing with Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Nina Simone, etc on them? Herb took most of those photos!! Ya, that’s right…he was there documenting it all with his camera…pretty cool…Herb signed a copy a copy of his book ‘Jazz – A Visual Journey’ for me…he was such a sweetheart.

AT WMNF we met Tracy May. Tracy turned out to be a great guy, wonderful photographer, and the 5th member of the Terrence Brewer team in Florida. Tracy took some kick-ass photos (displayed below) at both the WMNF concert and then later in the week at the Studio @ 620 concert. Thanks Tracy and we’ll see you next spring!!

The Studio @ 620 concert on Saturday night was huge success. Another standing room only event with some amazing St. Pete jazz fans in attendance. A lot of jazz artists who reside in the area also turned out in force to come check what the west coast jazz scene had to offer in the way of the Terrence Brewer Trio.

All in all it was a great trip and, what I believe to be, the start of a great yearly journey!

Thanks for Reading!

Terrence Brewer Trio: Micah McClain – Drums, Brandon Essex – Acoustic Bass, Terrence Brewer – Guitar