Teri Parker & Free Spirit – Peaks and Valleys (ENG review)

Modica Music – Available
Jazz
Teri Parker & Free Spirit – Peaks and Valleys

Composer and pianist Teri Parker, along with her Free Spirits, have been musically active since 2019. Originally, the Free Spirits aimed to spotlight the music of Mary Lou Williams, and it can be said today that the student has surpassed the master. Indeed, the grandiose compositions are perfectly orchestrated, with the delicately played piano being just one refined element among the other instruments. While they present Williams’ pieces, they also offer five original creations that are equally intriguing and complex, yet grounded in today’s world, making them inevitably more raw. However, they can also display a complex poetry, and naturally, this album is primarily for jazz enthusiasts who will appreciate it for what it is—let’s admit, it’s not lacking in charm.

Recorded at the incredible Revolution Recording studio in Toronto, *Peaks and Valleys* was captured following a residency at Toronto’s Rex Hotel and brims with the energy and subtle interactions you would expect from Canada’s finest musicians. Parker—who plays piano and performs spoken word poetry on one track—is joined by Allison Au on alto saxophone, Alison Young on alto saxophone and vocals, Rebecca Hennessy on trumpet and vocals, Lauren Falls on double bass and electric bass, Mackenzie Longpre on drums, and percussionist Mario Allende. *Peaks and Valleys* is produced by Parker and renowned Canadian bassist Dan Fortin, made possible thanks to grants from the Toronto Arts Council and Ontario Arts Council.

Throughout this album, Teri Parker’s style gradually emerges. While Mary Lou Williams focused primarily on melodic lines, so does Parker, but she also juxtaposes clever rhythmic patterns. Her expression and phrasing feel more deliberate, more intellectual, with the cello acting as a bridge between the different mechanisms of her compositions. “Giantes” is a track that honors female musicians, like an internal cry, a necessity to let these stars shine brightly, ensuring they are not forgotten. An active member of the Canadian music scene, Parker has played in the Alex Dean Quartet, the Parker Abbot Trio, the John Pittman Quartet, the Parker-Wilson duo, and the Radiohead tribute band Idioteque. In 2021, Parker earned a master’s degree in composition from York University, where she studied with Randolph Peters, Stephanie Martin, and Noam Lemish. She has also studied independently with world-renowned artists in New York and Europe, including Sophia Rosoff, Aaron Goldberg, Guillermo Klein, Fred Hersch, and Enrico Pieranunzi.

And what a beautiful idea to end this album with the track “Rosa Mae” by Mary Lou Williams.

Rosa Mae (original version by Mary Lou Williams):

 

Here is Teri Parker’s version:

 

Don’t you find this reimagined, if not rewritten, version just as beautiful as the original? As for me, this album introduced me to an impressive artist who composes music as a reflection of her own personality—with intelligence, thoughtfulness, and simplicity. I must also admit I’m fascinated by the Free Spirits group, delighted to hear the brilliant ideas woven into each track, without any pretension, always with precision. This album definitely deserves a spot among our “Essentials.”

Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News

PARIS-MOVE, October 6th 2024

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