artist info

"The audience singing and swaying like trees in a hurricane...Maceo is in the House...blowing a tempest."

- Seattle Times

Maceo Parker: his name is synonymous with Funky Music, his pedigree impeccable; his band: the tightest little funk orchestra on earth. It's fairly common knowledge that Maceo has played with each and every leader of funk, his start with James Brown, which Maceo describes as "like being at University"; jumping aboard the Mothership with George Clinton; and his ongoing part in Prince's tours. He's the living, breathing pulse which connects the history of Funk in one golden thread. The cipher which unravels dance music down to its core. His collaborations over the years have included Ray Charles, Ani Difranco, James Taylor, De La Soul, Dave Matthews Band and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. His timeless sound has garnered him a fresh young fan base.

Parker remains a top flight "get" for any artists looking to inject some jazz infused funk into their project. And for his own projects, he can also attract a coterie of highly regarded musicians looking to work with a legend. At 74, Maceo is still a consummate performer. He and his super-tight bring a rare form of magic to the stage, that kind of magic that lifts you up and makes you smile uncontrollably. Maceo was born to be on the stage, and he’s enjoying it – playing off of his mates, joking, having so much fun that you can’t help but be roped in. It is equal parts endearing and exciting in its execution; you wish you enjoyed your job half as much as this group clearly does.

So it should surprise no one to hear bassist Christian McBride, drummer Cora Coleman-Dunham and a 15 piece big band orchestra playing soul funk classics with Parker at the Leverkusener Jazz Festival in Leverkusener, Germany. That live show produced the nine song CD Soul Classics (2012). The record features Parker leading the band on high powered covers of tunes such as "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," "Higher Ground" "Do Your Thing" and "Rock Steady." Soul Classics also includes the Parker original "Come By and See," which is one of three vocal tracks on Soul Classics (he also sings on "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "Rock Steady").