Maceo Parker

"Maceo Parker: his name is synonymous with Funky Music, his pedigree impeccable; his band: the tightest little funk orchestra on earth."

Maceo Parker joins the 35th Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival!

Venerated saxophone master Maceo Parker, longtime sideman to legendary soul/funk icons James Brown and George Clinton, brings his distinctive sound to SPAC’s jazz festival on Sat, JUN 30. His powerful stage presence and musicality have earned him praise from publications such as Denver’s Westwood, “Quite simply, there is no better living showman than Maceo Parker. Catching one of the alto sax maestro’s marathon three-hour shows is a truly transcendent experience for any fan of funk, jazz, hip-hop, R&B and soul: His performances are never disappointing, always worth the money, and a funky, funky good time.”

Gene Santoro of Downbeat Magazine said of his performances, “He’s no bebopper, reborn or otherwise. His roots are the church and the blues…his sound is joyful, cutting ribbon of light and heat burnished by grit and soul. His riff-based attack is melodic, unraveling and re-weaving themes rather than running chords, and primarily rhythmic, relying on finely-shaped nuances of timing and displacement to communicate – kinda like his longtime boss’ vocals, amazingly enough.” There’s no doubt about it, “There’s only one Maceo.”

Parker’s career launched performing with James Brown, which he described as “like being at University.” Maceo grew to become the lynch-pin of the James Brown enclave for the best part of two decades. – his signature style helped define James’ brand of funk, and the phrase: “Maceo, I want you to Blow!” – a signal to his favorite horn player to take a solo.

In 1990, Maceo began a thriving solo career, with albums Funk Overload , Dial M-A-C-E-O, and Made by Maceo entered the top 40 in the European charts upon release. He also has had the opportunity to work with Grammy Award Winners the WDR Big Band to broadcast and perform a live series of shows paying tribute to Ray Charles.

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