Maceo Parker
Funk and soul jazz saxophonist who played with James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Prince.
Maceo Parker (born February 14, 1943) is an American saxophonist who plays funk and soul jazz, most famous for his stints with James Brown in the 1960s, Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s, and Prince in the 2000s. He was a key soloist on many of Brown's hits and played alto, tenor, and baritone sax in Brown's band. Since the early 1990s, he has been leading his own touring group.
Parker grew up in Kinston, North Carolina. His father played piano and drums and sang in church with his mother; his brother Melvin played drums, and his brother Kellis played trombone. Parker and Melvin joined James Brown in 1963. According to Brown's autobiography, he originally wanted Melvin as his drummer but agreed to take Maceo as part of the deal. In March 1970, Parker, Melvin, and several other Brown band members left to form Maceo & All the King's Men, which toured for two years. Parker rejoined Brown in January 1973. That same year, he charted the single "Parrty – Part I" (No. 71 on the pop singles chart) with Maceo & the Macks. In 1975, Parker and some Brown band members, including Fred Wesley, left to join George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic. He returned to Brown's band again from 1984 to 1988.
Parker launched his solo career in the 1990s. His first album from that period, *Roots Revisited*, spent ten weeks at number one on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts. He has released more than a dozen solo albums since 1990. His 1991 album *Mo' Roots* marked his first collaboration with Dutch saxophonist Candy Dulfer. In 1993, he guested on De La Soul's album *Buhloone Mindstate*. In the late 1990s, he began contributing regularly to Prince's recordings and touring with Prince's band, the New Power Generation. He also played on the Jane's Addiction track "My Cat's Name Is Maceo" for their 1997 compilation *Kettle Whistle*. In 1998, he performed as a guest on "What Would You Say" during a Dave Matthews Band concert, which was released on the live album *Live in Chicago 12.19.98*.
Parker toured as part of Prince's band for the "Musicology Live 2004ever" tour in 2004, and again in 2007 for Prince's 21 nights at the O2 arena. He also played in Prince's band for the 21-night run at LA's Forum in 2011. In 2008, he closed the Edmonton International Jazz Festival at Urban Lounge.
His album *Roots Revisited* won a Jammys award in 1991.
- Born
- February 14, 1943
- Field
- Funk and soul jazz saxophonist
- Nationality
- American
- Known for
- Work with James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Prince
Lore & Background
Parker was born in Kinston, North Carolina, United States. His father played piano and drums and sang in church with Parker's mother; his brother Melvin played drums and his brother Kellis played the trombone. Parker and his brother Melvin joined James Brown in 1963; in his autobiography, Brown claims that he originally wanted Melvin as his drummer, but agreed to additionally take Maceo under his wing as part of the deal. In March 1970, Parker, his brother Melvin, and a few of Brown's band members left to establish the band Maceo & All the King's Men, which toured for two years.
In January 1973, Parker rejoined James Brown's group. He also charted a single 'Parrty – Part I' (No. 71 pop singles) with Maceo & the Macks that year. In 1975, Parker and some of Brown's band members, including Fred Wesley, left to join George Clinton's band Parliament-Funkadelic. Parker once again re-joined James Brown from 1984 to 1988. In the 1990s, Parker began a solo career. His first album of this period Roots Revisited spent 10 weeks at the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts. To date he has released 11 solo albums since 1990. Parker's 1992 live album, Life on Planet Groove, is considered to be his seminal live album, marking his first collaboration with Dutch saxophonist Candy Dulfer.
Reader's Guide
Maceo Parker's significance lies in his role as a foundational saxophonist in funk and soul jazz, bridging the classic James Brown sound of the 1960s with the Parliament-Funkadelic psychedelic funk of the 1970s and later the pop-funk of Prince in the 2000s. His solo career, beginning in the 1990s, produced albums like Roots Revisited and the live album Life on Planet Groove, which solidified his reputation as a bandleader. Parker's influence extends into hip hop, with a guest appearance on De La Soul's 1993 album Buhloone Mindstate, and into rock, playing on Jane's Addiction's track 'My Cat's Name Is Maceo.' He has received honors including induction into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2011, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Victoires Du Jazz in Paris in 2012, and the North Carolina Heritage Award in 2016. His autobiography, 98% Funky Stuff: My Life in Music, was published in 2013, and he was portrayed by Craig Robinson in the 2014 James Brown biopic Get on Up. Parker continues to tour extensively, headlining jazz festivals in Europe and performing up to 290 concerts a year.
Did You Know?
- Parker's first collaboration with Dutch saxophonist Candy Dulfer was on his 1992 live album Life on Planet Groove.
- Parker's album Roots & Grooves with the WDR Big Band won a Jammie for best Jazz Album in 2009.
- A restaurant in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, opened in 1997, is named Maceo after Parker.
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