Maceo Parker


Maceo Parker is an American funk and soul jazz saxophonist, best known for his work with James Brown in the 1960s, as well as Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s. Parker was a prominent soloist on many of Brown's hit recordings, and a key part of his band, playing alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. Since the early 1990s, he has toured under his own name.

Biography

Parker was born in Kinston, North Carolina. Parker's father played piano and drums in addition to singing 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 1964; 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 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 with James Brown. He also charted a single "Parrty – Part I" 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. His band has been billed as "the greatest little funk orchestra on earth" and the "million-dollar support band". 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.
In 1993, Parker made guest appearances on hip hop group De La Soul's album Buhloone Mindstate. In the late 1990s, Parker began contributing semi-regularly to recordings by Prince and accompanying his band, The New Power Generation, on tour. He also played on the Jane's Addiction track "My Cat's Name Is Maceo" for their 1997 compilation album Kettle Whistle. In 1998, Parker performed as a guest on "What Would You Say" on a Dave Matthews Band concert, which also became one of their live albums, Live in Chicago 12.19.98.
, Italy, in 2009
In 2007, Parker performed as part of Prince's band for Prince's 21 nights at the O2 arena. Parker also played as part of Prince's band for his 21-night stay at LA's Forum in 2011.
In 2008, Maceo Parker closed the Edmonton International Jazz Festival at Urban Lounge.
Parker's album Roots & Grooves with the WDR Big Band is a tribute to Ray Charles, whom Parker cites as one of his most important influences. The album won a Jammie for best Jazz Album in 2009. Parker followed this up with another collaboration with WDR Big Band in 2012 with the album Soul Classics.
In October 2011, Parker was inducted in the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
In July 2012, Parker was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Victoires Du Jazz in Paris. He continues touring, headlining many jazz festivals in Europe and doing as many as 290 concerts a year.
In May 2016, Parker received The North Carolina Heritage Award from his home state.

Autobiography

In February 2013, Parker published his autobiography, 98% Funky Stuff: My Life in Music with the publisher Chicago Review Press.

Equipment

Maceo plays a gold-plated Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone and the mouthpiece he uses is a #3 Brilhart Ebolin. Maceo's reed of choice is the Vandoren Java, 3.5 gauge.

In media

Parker was portrayed by Craig Robinson in the 2014 James Brown biopic Get on Up.

Discography

As bandleader

YearArtistAlbumLabel
1970Maceo & All the King's MenDoing Their Own ThingHouse of the Fox / Charly Records
1972Maceo & All the King's MenFunky Music MachineExcello
1974MaceoUsPeople / P-Vine
1989Maceo ParkerFor All the King's Men4th & Broadway
1990Maceo ParkerRoots RevisitedVerve / Minor Music
1991Maceo ParkerMo' RootsVerve / Minor Music
1992Maceo ParkerLife on Planet GrooveVerve / Minor Music
1993Maceo ParkerSouthern ExposureJive / Novus / Minor Music
1994Maceo ParkerMaceo Minor Music
1998Maceo ParkerFunk OverloadWhat Are Records? / ESC
2000Maceo ParkerWhat Are Records? / ESC
2003Maceo ParkerMade by MaceoWhat Are Records? / ESC
2004Maceo ParkerMy First Name Is MaceoMinor Music
2005Maceo ParkerSchool's In!BHM Productions
2007Maceo ParkerRoots & GroovesIntuition / Heads Up
2012Maceo ParkerSoul ClassicsListen2 Entertainment / Razor & Tie
2020Maceo ParkerSoul Food: Cooking With MaceoMascot Label Group / The Funk Garage

As Sideman

YearArtistAlbumLabel
1964James BrownOut of SightPolyGram
1969James BrownSay It Loud, I'm Black and I'm ProudPolydor / Umgd
1970James BrownSex MachinePolydor / Umgd
1972James BrownGet on the Good FootPolyGram
1972Johnny HammondThe ProphetKudu
1973James BrownThe PaybackPolydor / Umgd
1974James BrownHellPolydor / Umgd
1975James BrownRealityPolyGram
1976Bootsy CollinsStretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber BandWarner Bros.
1976ParliamentThe Clones of Dr. FunkensteinIsland / Mercury
1975ParliamentMothership ConnectionIsland / Mercury
1977Bootsy CollinsAhh... The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!Warner Bros.
1977Parliament'Island / Mercury
1977ParliamentFunkentelechy Vs. the Placebo SyndromeIsland / Mercury
1977Fred WesleyA Blow for Me, A Toot for YouAtlantic
1978ParliamentMotor Booty AffairIsland / Mercury
1978Bernie WorrellAll the Woo in the WorldArista
1979Bootsy CollinsThis Boot Is Made for Fonk-NWarner Bros.
1979ParliamentGloryhallastoopidMCA
1980Bootsy CollinsUltra WaveWarner Bros.
1980ParliamentTrombipulationPolyGram
1983P-Funk All StarsUrban Dancefloor GuerillasSony
1983George ClintonYou Shouldn't-Nuf Bit FishCapitol
1985George ClintonSome of My Best Jokes Are FriendsCapitol
1985Red Hot Chili PeppersFreaky StyleyEMI
1986James BrownGravityVolcano
1986James BrownJames In the Jungle GroovePolydor / Umgd
1986Ryuichi SakamotoFuturista
1987Mico WaveCookin' from the Inside Out!!!Columbia
1987Yvonne JacksonI'm TroubleIchiban
1988James BrownJames Brown's Funky People, Pt. 2Polydor / Umgd
1988Bootsy CollinsWhat's Bootsy Doin'?Sony
1988Keith RichardsTalk Is CheapEMI
1989Criminal Element OrchestraLocked UpAtlantic
1990Various ArtistsGramavision 10th Anniversary SamplerGramavision
1990Deee-LiteWorld CliqueElektra / Wea
1990Living ColourTime's UpSony
1990P-Funk All StarsLive at the Beverly Theatre in HollywoodWestbound
1990Fred WesleyNew FriendsPolyGram
1990Rev. Billy C. WirtzBackslider's Tractor PullHighTone
1991James BrownMessing with the BluesPolyGram
1991MaterialThe Third PowerAxiom
1991Bernie WorrellFunk of AgesRhino
1991Kenny NealWalking on FireAlligator
1991Various ArtistsHouse Party 2MCA
1992Bachir AttarThe Next DreamCMP
199210,000 ManiacsOur Time in EdenElektra / Wea
1992Deee-LiteInfinity WithinElektra / Wea
1993Various ArtistsThe Best Jazz Is Played with VervePolyGram
1993George Clinton"P" Is the FunkAEM
1993Candy DulferSax-A-Go-GoSony
1993Color Me BaddTime and ChanceWarner Bros.
1993Bernie WorrellBlacktronic ScienceGramavision
1993Bryan FerryTaxiWarner Bros.
1993Various ArtistsManifestation: Axiom Collection IIPolyGram
1993James BrownSoul Pride: The Instrumentals PolyGram
1993De La SoulBuhloone MindstateRhino
1993Hans TheessinkCall MeDeluge
1993Dave KozLucky ManCapitol
1993George ClintonPlush FunkAem
1993Bernie WorrellBlacktronic ScienceGramavision
1994Bootsy CollinsBlasters of the UniverseRykodisc
1994Pedro AbrunhosaViagensPolyGram
1994Bryan FerryMamounaVirgin
1994Nils Landgren Funk UnitLive in StockholmRed Horn
1992The JB HornsI Like It Like ThatSoulciety
1995ParliamentThe Best of Parliament: Give Up the FunkPolyGram
1995Fred WesleySay Blow by Blow BackwardsAem
1995Larry GoldingsWhatever It TakesWarner Bros.
1995Brooklyn Funk EssentialsCool And Steady And EasyGroovetown Records
1995Various ArtistsBack to Basics, Vol. 2Instinct
1996James BrownFoundations Of Funk: A Brand New BagPolydor / Umgd
1996Various ArtistsLittle Magic in a Noisy WorldAct
1996Various ArtistsA Celebration of Blues: The New BreedCeleb. of Blues
1997Various ArtistsBooming on Pluto: Electro for DroidsAmbient
1997Kenny NealDeluxe EditionAlligator
1997Phil UpchurchWhatever Happened to the BluesGo Jazz
1999Ani DiFrancoTo The TeethRighteous Babe Records
1999PrinceRave Un2 The Joy FantasticNPG
2001Dave Matthews BandLive in Chicago 12.19.98RCA
2001Ani DiFrancoRevelling/ReckoningRighteous Babe Records
2002Prince and The New Power GenerationOne Nite Alone... Live!NPG
2002Prince and The New Power GenerationOne Nite Alone... the aftershow: it ain't over!NPG
2003Prince and The New Power GenerationC-NoteNPG
2004PrinceMusicologyNPG / Columbia
2006Prince3121NPG / Universal
2007PrincePlanet EarthNPG / Columbia
2007Various Artists'Vanguard
2008PrinceIndigo NightsNPG
2009PrinceLotusflowerNPG

Filmography

YearArtistAlbumLabel
2000PrinceRave Un2 the Year 2000NPG Music Club
2002Maceo ParkerRoots RevisitedArthaus Musik
2003PrinceLive at the Aladdin Las VegasNPG Music Club
2004Maceo ParkerMy First Name Is MaceoMinor Music