Biography
Maceo Parker, born February 14, 1943, in Kinston, North Carolina, is a legendary American saxophonist whose career has profoundly shaped funk, soul jazz, and related genres. Raised in a musical family—his father played piano and drums, his mother sang in church, and his brothers Melvin and Kellis played drums and trombone respectively—Parker picked up the saxophone in his pre-teen years and quickly developed a passion for music[2][3].
Parker's professional breakthrough came in the early 1960s when he joined James Brown's band alongside his brother Melvin. He soon became a key soloist, contributing signature horn lines to Brown's hits such as "I Feel Good" and "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag"[2][3]. After leaving Brown's band in 1970 to form Maceo & All the King's Men, Parker returned to Brown in 1973 and continued to record and tour. In the mid-1970s, he joined George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic, further expanding his influence in the funk world. From the 1990s onward, Parker established himself as a solo artist, releasing acclaimed albums like "Roots Revisited" and "Life on Planet Groove," and touring internationally[2][3][8].
Parker's musical style is characterized by a blend of jazz improvisation and hard-edged funk rhythms, often described as "2% jazz and 98% funky stuff"[7]. His energetic performances, melodic phrasing, and percussive horn blasts have made him a sought-after collaborator and an inspiration to generations of musicians. Parker's legacy is cemented not only by his work with icons like James Brown, George Clinton, and Prince, but also by his enduring solo career and influence on contemporary funk and jazz artists[2][3][1].
Fun Facts
- James Brown would famously shout "Maceo, blow your horn!" during live performances, making Parker a household name among funk fans[4].
- Parker's first solo album of the 1990s, "Roots Revisited," spent 10 weeks at the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts[2][8].
- He is known for describing his music as "2% jazz and 98% funky stuff"[7].
- Parker's family is highly musical: his brother Melvin played drums with James Brown, and his brother Kellis played trombone[2].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Ray Charles - Parker was deeply influenced by Ray Charles' vocal phrasing and musical approach, which he tried to emulate on the saxophone. (General stylistic influence; no direct collaborations.) [Childhood and early career]
Key Collaborators
- James Brown - Band leader; Parker was a key soloist and member of Brown's backing bands. (Hits like "I Feel Good," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," "Cold Sweat," "Lickin' Stick," "Mother Popcorn"; The J.B.'s) [1963–1970, 1973–1975, 1984–1988]
- George Clinton - Band leader; Parker played with Parliament-Funkadelic. (Parliament-Funkadelic albums and tours) [1975–early 1980s]
- Prince - Collaborator; Parker performed and recorded with Prince. (Live performances and studio recordings) [2000s]
- Fred Wesley - Trombonist and frequent collaborator in James Brown's band, Parliament-Funkadelic, and solo projects. (The J.B.'s, Parliament-Funkadelic, various solo albums) [1970s–present]
- Bootsy Collins - Bassist and bandmate in Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy's Rubber Band. (Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy's Rubber Band) [Late 1970s–early 1980s]
- Candy Dulfer - Dutch saxophonist; collaborated on Parker's live album. ("Life on Planet Groove" (1992)) [1992]
Artists Influenced
- Karl Denson - Saxophonist influenced by Parker's funk style and improvisational approach. (Karl Denson's Tiny Universe) [1990s–present]
- Lenny Pickett - Tower of Power saxophonist inspired by Parker's funk phrasing. (Tower of Power, Saturday Night Live Band) [1970s–present]
- Candy Dulfer - Dutch saxophonist who cites Parker as a major influence and later collaborated with him. (Solo career, "Life on Planet Groove") [1990s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Funk Overload | 1998-08-25 | Album |
| Soul Food: Cooking With Maceo | 2020-06-26 | Album |
| Roots Revisited | 1990 | Album |
| Mo' Roots | 1991 | Album |
| Life on Planet Groove | 1992-09-01 | Album |
| Roots & Grooves | 2007-09-28 | Album |
| Life on Planet Groove (Bonus Track Edition) | 1992-09-01 | Album |
| It's All About Love | 2018-02-23 | Album |
| The Bremen Concert | 2015-10-23 | Album |
| Maceo (Soundtrack) | 1994 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Children´s World (Roots Revisited)
- Patti Dooke (Buhloone Mindstate)
- Yes We Can Can (Soul Food: Cooking With Maceo)
- I Be Blowin' (Buhloone Mindstate)
- I Am I Be (Buhloone Mindstate)
- Tell Me Something Good (Funk Overload)
- Chicken (Mo' Roots)
- Sing a Simple Song (Funk Overload)
- Uptown Up (Funk Overload)
- Let's Get It On (Funk Overload)
External Links
Tags: #jazz, #soul-jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
Maceo Parker has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 2025 | 03:32 | Other Side Of The Pillowfrom Soul Food: Cooking With Maceo | Overnight Music - Monday | |
| Oct 14, 2025 | 15:02 | Yes We Can Canfrom Soul Food | Soul Serenadew/ Marc Stone |