Maceo Parker

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Maceo Parker (born February 14, 1943) is a noted African American funk and soul jazz saxophone player, best known for his contributions to James Brown's distinct sound. He was born in Kinston, North Carolina in a musically-rich environment. His mother and father sang in a church and both his brothers are accomplished musicians (drums and trombones).

Image:Maceo.jpg

He and his brother, Melvin Parker, joined James Brown in 1964; In his book Brown says that he originally wanted Melvin as his drummer but agreed to take Maceo under his wing as part of the deal. Maceo, Melvin and a few of Brown's band members left to found Maceo & All the Kings Men which toured for two years. In 1973 Maceo returned to James Brown's band. In 1975 Maceo and some of Brown's band members, including Fred Wesley, left to join George Clinton's Parliament.

Maceo once again joined James Brown from 1984 to 1988. In the 1990s he finally embraced a successful solo career. He has released seven solo records and plays 250 tour dates per year. It's also worth noting that his average play time on stage is more than two and a half hours.

In the late 1990s, Maceo began contributing semi-regularly to recordings by Prince and accompanying his band (The New Power Generation) on tour.

His current tour band includes bassist Rodney Skeet Curtis and several other talented musicians. They have been billed as "The greatest little funk orchestra on earth".

[edit] Discography

Year	Artist/Band	Album	Label
2006	Maceo Parker & Band	School's In! (5.1 SACD)	[BHM Music]
2005	Maceo Parker & Band	School's In!	[BHM Music]
2003	Maceo Parker & Band	Made By Maceo	esc Records / What are Records?
2000	Maceo Parker & Band	dial: MACEO	esc Records / What are Records?
1998	Maceo Parker & Band	Funk Overload	esc Records / What are Records?
1994	Maceo Parker & Band	Maceo (Soundtrack)	Minor Music (Europe Only)
1993		Southern Exposure	Jive Novus / Minor Music
1992	Maceo Parker & Band	Life on Planet Groove	Verve / Minor Music
1991	Maceo Parker & Band	Mo' Roots	Verve / Minor Music
1990	Maceo Parker & Band	Roots Revisited	Verve / Minor Music
1989	Maceo and All The Kings Man	For All the King's Men	4th & Broadway
1975	Maceo and All The Kings Man	Funky Music Machine	House of Fox / El Cello
1974		Us People	PVine (Japanese Import only at this time)
1970		Doing Their Own Thing	House of the Fox / Charly Records