Shaping the Invisible
Shaping The Invisible takes things, compositionally, to the next level. Her tunes are frequently off-kilter, odd. It is not clear who she listened to in her creation room, but with "Becoming"—named for Michelle Obama's memoir—the incomparable pianist Andrew Hill's approach seems to bubble up. Like Hill's writing, "Becoming" is compelling in its own unconventional way, the "unconventionality" of it making it all the more riveting, opening in a dreamy mode before shifting into an insistent straight eighths groove. ★★★★
Dan McClenaghan – All About Jazz
Parker's ventured far and wide, to New York and Europe among other places, but her roots are solidly in Toronto. It's where she attended school—U of T and York University—and where she operates her Annex Academy of Music, located, naturally, in the city's Annex neighbourhood and boasting thirteen instructors and 300-plus students. The generosity of spirit exemplified by that large-scale project finds another outlet in the performances captured on her new release. That earlier-noted sense of connection might also, incidentally, be accounted for by the exceptional calibre of the musicians involved: players so skilled, experienced, and quick on their feet can assemble for the first time and still come across like an outfit of long-standing. These five show throughout her fine release they're eminently capable of, as per the album title, shaping the invisible and giving form to Parker's vision.
Ron Schepper – Textura
The album as a whole gives a good insight into the high level of the Canadian jazz scene.
Fortunately, the world is big and full of good music.
Jørgen Nielsen – Jazz Special (Denmark)
Her originals sparkle with creativity, complexity and unerring nerve, verve and taste.
Mike Greenblatt – Goldmine Magazine
Here is a truly magnificent album… Teri succeeds in her endeavor, giving her best not only in terms of musical composition but also in her piano performance. This album exudes inspiration, sensuality, and the desire to nourish the minds of those capable of grasping her work.
Thierry de Clemensat – Paris Move
An enthralling, adventurous studio recording of jazz-club-tested music, Shaping the Invisible is a treat for connoisseurs of modern-day jazz, highly recommended.
Midwest Book Review
Kitchen Timer Tune uses a compositional exercise by pianist Fred Hersch where the composer sets a kitchen timer for 45 minutes and writes as much as possible within the allotted time frame. The song begins with an impressive extended bass introduction by Godfrey and McAnsh really shines on this track.
David Reed – Belleville Intelligencer
In the Past
"The line-up is the standard rhythm section and a saxophone out front ensemble, engaged in presenting a dozen of Parker's well-crafted, always engagements compositions. Several spins of the disc leaves the impression of Teri Parker as a gifted melodist… The set closes with its loveliest composition, "Saturn"—the most beautiful of celestial bodies inspiring a beautiful modern jazz sound." ★★★★☆
Dan McClenaghan – All About Jazz
"Art without being artsy, this is a first call listening date, particularly for people in need of gorgeous playing that will simply take them away. Solidly played throughout, this is how they keep things hot in Toronto over the winter."
Chris Spector – The Midwest Record
"The Teri Parker Quartet created a highly dynamic and varied evening of well-written originals and standards on Saturday, giving them an attentive and powerful performance. I appreciated seeing a group with such a capable all-woman front line – particularly two musicians like Parker and Au who were so well-attuned to each others' style of playing. We were glad we made a point of hearing this show and songs on In the Past."
Alayne McGregor – Ottawa Jazz Scene
"On her debut album, Teri Parker offers a fresh and consistently rewarding take on the jazz piano quartet tradition… As a composer, Parker is much like she is as a player: poised, circumspect, and methodical. Whether supporting another or soloing herself, the pianist approaches her playing with deliberation, each note meaningful and each gesture related to the whole… This is an album that's not only thoroughly satisfying and marked by variety and surprise; it's also one long in the making. Laid down over two days in July 2016, In The Past was recorded four years after the band formed, an extended period that suggests the group had ample opportunity to woodshed the tunes before entering the studio. It's also, not incidentally, an album of which Parker can be deservedly proud."
Ron Schepper – textura.org
"Parker lays down elusive melodies that sometimes appear as serialistic gentle meanders, sometimes appear as jagged fits and starts. This is music one feels as well as hears… . I really like "On the Farm" a bluesy and thoughtful tune that set me to thinking of Billy Strayhorn. Don't ask me why. Parker's playing on the solo is just so comforting and reassuring. "
Hobart Taylor – KUCI
"Refreshing and playful… "
Marty Delia – The Jazz Music Blog
"The latest from Teri Parker is a nice laid-back piano session… all these tracks, regardless of the era they belong to, stick to a demeanor well suited to lazy Sunday afternoons when a peacefulness abides and a spark of life can resonate like mad. "
Dave Sumner – Bird Is The Worm
"Teri Parker may be a pianist, but it is clear from the music of In the Past that she is first and foremost a composer with a distinctive voice…. Miss Parker is never far behind on her subtle forays into the thick of solo action. But she may be easy to miss sometimes. Her solos are not vehicles for hair-raising virtuosity, but every phrase she plays is a work of eloquence, placing its emphasis on intimate dialogue between herself and the rest of the quartet. Everywhere she shows her wonderful tonal control and rhythmic flexibility, which is how her soli come to reveal itself as a profoundly beautiful and irresistible reading of music. And that goes for each and every piece on this recording."
Raul da Gama – Toronto Music Report