Teri Parker’s Free Spirits – Peaks and Valleys

Released October 4, 2024

Formed in 2019, Free Spirits – led by pianist/composer Teri Parker – was originally conceived as a tribute to the talents of legendary jazz pianists Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981) and Geri Allen (1957-2017). On October 4th, 2024, the group releases their self-titled debut album Peaks and Valleys on Modica Music. Peaks and Valleys features songs from Williams, Allen, and a brand-new five-song suite, Peaks and Valleys, written by Parker.

Captured at Toronto’s incredible Revolution Recording studio, Peaks and Valleys was recorded after a residency at The Rex, and has all of the energy and nuanced interplay one would expect from some of Canada’s best musicians. Parker – who plays piano and, on one track, recites spoken word poetry – is joined by Allison Au on alto saxophone, Alison Young on alto saxophone and voice, Rebecca Hennessy on trumpet and voice, Lauren Falls on upright and electric bass, Mackenzie Longpre on drums, and percussionist Mario Allende. Peaks and Valleys is produced by Parker and leading Canadian bassist Dan Fortin, and is made possible through grants from both the Toronto Arts Council and the Ontario Arts Council.

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 cover band Idioteque. In 2021, Parker completed an MA in Composition at York University, where she studied with Randolph Peters, Stephanie Martin, and Noam Lemish. Parker 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.

Whether performing Parker’s originals or songs from Allen and Williams, the group has a playful, soulful sound all its own, a deep chemistry that has developed over years of performances, rehearsals, and recordings. As an album, Peaks and Valleys pays tribute to Allen and Williams not just by playing their songs, but – most importantly – by continuing their legacy of musical excellence, artistic innovation, and shared joy.