Maceo Parker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maceo Parker
Parker in 1997
Background information
Born	(1943-02-14) February 14, 1943 (age 82) Kinston, North Carolina, United States
Genres	Funk, P-Funk, soul music, R&B, soul jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, band leader
Instruments	Saxophone, flute, piano, vocals
Years active	1962–present
Labels	Verve, What Are Records?, Heads Up Minor Music

Maceo Parker (born February 14, 1943) is an American funk and soul jazz saxophonist. He is famous for playing with music legends like James Brown in the 1960s. He also worked with Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s and Prince in the 2000s. Maceo was a key part of James Brown's band. He played the alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone. Since the early 1990s, he has toured and released music under his own name.

Maceo Parker's Musical Journey

Early Life and Family Music

Maceo Parker was born in Kinston, North Carolina, United States. Music was a big part of his family. His father played piano and drums. Both his parents sang in church. Maceo's brother Melvin played drums. His other brother, Kellis, played the trombone.

Joining James Brown

Maceo and his brother Melvin joined James Brown's band in 1963. James Brown wanted Melvin as his drummer. He also agreed to take Maceo into the band. Maceo became a very important soloist. He played on many of Brown's hit songs.

In March 1970, Maceo and Melvin left James Brown's band. They started their own group called Maceo & All the King's Men. This band toured for two years.

Rejoining and New Collaborations

In January 1973, Maceo Parker rejoined James Brown's group. He also had a hit song called "Parrty – Part I" with his group Maceo & the Macks. In 1975, Maceo and other band members joined George Clinton's band, Parliament-Funkadelic. Maceo worked with James Brown again from 1984 to 1988.

Starting a Solo Career

In the 1990s, Maceo Parker began his solo career. His first album from this time was Roots Revisited. It stayed at the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts for 10 weeks. He has released 11 solo albums since 1990. His 1992 live album, Life on Planet Groove, is very well-known. It was his first time working with Dutch saxophonist Candy Dulfer.

Guest Appearances and Tours

In 1993, Maceo Parker played on the hip hop group De La Soul's album Buhloone Mindstate. In the late 1990s, he started playing on recordings by Prince. He also toured with Prince's band, The New Power Generation. He played on the Jane's Addiction song "My Cat's Name Is Maceo" in 1997. In 1998, he was a guest on a Dave Matthews Band concert. This concert became a live album called Live in Chicago 12.19.98.

Maceo toured with Prince's band for the "Musicology Live 2004ever" tour in 2004. He also played with Prince in 2007 at the O2 arena. In 2011, he played with Prince for 21 nights at LA's Forum.

In 2008, Maceo Parker performed at the Edmonton International Jazz Festival.

Maceo Parker performing at the Liri Blues Festival in Italy, 2009.

Tributes and Awards

Maceo's album Roots & Grooves was made with the WDR Big Band. It was a tribute to Ray Charles, who greatly influenced Maceo. This album won a Jammie award for best Jazz Album in 2009. He worked with the WDR Big Band again in 2012 on the album Soul Classics.

In October 2011, Maceo Parker was honored. He was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. In July 2012, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Victoires Du Jazz in Paris. He still tours a lot, playing at many jazz festivals in Europe. He sometimes does as many as 290 concerts a year! In May 2016, he received The North Carolina Heritage Award from his home state.

Books and Films

In February 2013, Maceo Parker wrote his autobiography. It is called 98% Funky Stuff: My Life in Music. It was published by Chicago Review Press.

Maceo Parker was played by Craig Robinson in the 2014 James Brown movie Get on Up.

Musical Instruments

Maceo plays a special gold-plated Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone. He uses a #3 Brilhart Ebolin mouthpiece. For reeds, Maceo prefers the Vandoren Java, 3.5 gauge.

Discography

Maceo Parker has released many albums as a bandleader. He has also played on many albums as a sideman for other artists.

Filmography

Maceo Parker has appeared in several music films and concert recordings:

See also

In Spanish: Maceo Parker para niños