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Maceo Parker is the legendary US Funk, Soul and Jazz saxophonist, best known for his work with The Godfather Of Soul James Brown in the 60’s, as well as the Parliament / Funkadelic Mothership in the 70’s (George Clinton, Bootsy Collins).
He was a prominent soloist on many of Brown’s hits and a key part of his band, playing alto, tenor and baritone sax. His name found its way into Brown’s lyrics: “Maceo, blow your horn!” and Prince also tips his hat referring to him as ‘The Teacher’.
He has put his signature on a huge variety of musical genres and also played with Ray Charles, James Taylor, Living Colour, Bryan Ferry, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, De La Soul, Ani DiFranco and The Dave Matthews Band. Parker’s music is a major source of inspiration in the hip hop world and he is one of the most sampled musicians in the world.
He is the living, breathing pulse which connects the history of Funk in one golden thread.
‘All the qualities of an icon unite in Maceo Parker’
All Music Guide
‘For sure no one plays the saxophone like Maceo Parker, and most likely no one ever will again. Never ignoring melody Parker woos us sweetly on one tune, only to make us jump out of our skin the next with Funkalicious ferocity. The bottom line…if you want to dance with members of the opposite sex without asking them too, go to a Maceo show. Once there, you suddenly realize this is one of the reasons why you’re alive on this planet…to be taken to a place where your mind stops thinking as you listen, move, and experience pure joy’
Dave Todoroff
‘His sound is joyful, cutting a ribbon of light and heat burnished by grit and soul. There’s no doubt about it, “There’s only one Maceo.”‘
Gene Santoro, Downbeat Magazine
‘When people talk about legends they mean ‘they’re done, but boy did they do good’ when I think of Maceo Parker I think of legendary funk master and horn player, but not ‘legend’ in the term that he’s done. He’s still doing it. And that to me makes a really legendary person’
Ani DiFranco