Maceo Parker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maceo Parker
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Parker in 1997
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| Background information | |
| Born | February 14, 1943 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 | c.1962–2020 |
| Labels | Verve, What Are Records?, Heads Up Minor Music |
Maceo Parker (born February 14, 1943) is a famous American saxophonist. He is known for playing funk and soul jazz music. Parker became a star playing with music legends like James Brown in the 1960s and Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s. He also toured and recorded with Prince in the 2000s.
Parker was a key member of James Brown's band. He played amazing solos on the alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone. His powerful sound helped define the funk genre. Since the 1990s, he has been a successful solo artist, touring the world with his own band.
Contents
Life and Music Career
Early Life and James Brown
Maceo Parker was born in Kinston, North Carolina. His family was very musical. His father played piano and drums, and his mother sang in church. His brother Melvin played the drums, and his brother Kellis played the trombone.
In 1963, Maceo and his brother Melvin joined James Brown's band. At first, Brown only wanted to hire Melvin as his drummer. But Melvin insisted that his brother Maceo had to join too. Brown agreed, and Maceo Parker quickly became one of his most important soloists.
In 1970, Parker and his brother left Brown's band to start their own group, Maceo & All the King's Men. They toured for two years before Parker rejoined James Brown in 1973.
Playing with Parliament-Funkadelic
In 1975, Parker left James Brown's band again. This time, he and other band members, like trombonist Fred Wesley, joined George Clinton's famous group, Parliament-Funkadelic. This band was known for its wild costumes and futuristic funk sound, often called P-Funk. Parker's saxophone skills added another layer to their unique music. He later returned to play with James Brown from 1984 to 1988.
Solo Career and Collaborations
In the 1990s, Maceo Parker started focusing on his solo career. His album Roots Revisited was a huge hit. It stayed at the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts for ten weeks. His 1992 live album, Life on Planet Groove, is one of his most famous records.
Parker worked with many other artists. He played on albums for the hip-hop group De La Soul and the rock band Jane's Addiction. In the late 1990s, he started working with Prince and his band, The New Power Generation. He toured with Prince for many years, including the "Musicology Live 2004ever" tour.
Awards and Later Work
Maceo Parker has received many awards for his music. In 2009, his album Roots & Grooves, a tribute to his hero Ray Charles, won a Jammie for Best Jazz Album. In 2011, he was added to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. The next year, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Paris, France.
Even in his later years, Parker continued to perform. He toured with the Ray Charles Orchestra, paying tribute to the legendary musician at major jazz festivals. He was known for performing up to 290 concerts a year.
Books and Movies
In 2013, Maceo Parker released his autobiography, 98% Funky Stuff: My Life in Music. In the book, he shares stories from his incredible career.
Parker's time with James Brown was so important that he was included as a character in the 2014 movie Get on Up. He was played by actor Craig Robinson.
Musical Equipment
For young musicians who are curious, Maceo Parker is known for playing a gold-plated Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone. He uses a #3 Brilhart Ebolin mouthpiece with Vandoren Java 3.5 reeds. This combination helps him create his signature sharp and funky sound.
Selected Discography
Maceo Parker has released many albums as a bandleader. Here are some of his most well-known works:
- Doing Their Own Thing (1970) (as Maceo & All the King's Men)
- Us (1974) (as Maceo)
- Roots Revisited (1990)
- Mo' Roots (1991)
- Life on Planet Groove (1992)
- Funk Overload (1998)
- Dial: M-A-C-E-O (2000)
- School's In! (2005)
- Roots & Grooves (2007)
- Soul Classics (2012)
- Soul Food: Cooking With Maceo (2020)
See also
In Spanish: Maceo Parker para niños
- Nelson George
- Cliff White
- Alan Leeds
