San Francisco Chronicle –
Sunday March 9, 2008 (Pink Section)
David Weigand
WILD APPLAUSE
Kasey Knudsen, Ben Stolorow, Ravi Abcarian and Micah McClain are four very lucky jazz musicians, because they work with rising young guitarist Terrence Brewer on his new album, "Quintessential." It's not just because Brewer is so good that these guys are lucky: It's also because, while the nine Brewer-penned cuts on the new album celebrate the Alameda guitarist's deceptively laid-back fluidity, the man obviously sees his band members as collaborators, not just back-up guys. From the slyly giddy "Delightedly Mopey," through the gentle melody of "Kismet," to the frantic sizzle of "East Way Out," highlighted by Stolorow's sweet piano work and Knudsen's blistering sax solos, the follow-up to his two discs "The Calling," Vols. 1 and 2, celebrates Brewer's sublime and generous musicality. Brewer also celebrates the disc's release on March 17 at Yoshi's. He's got a lot to celebrate.