Maceo Parker

About

Maceo Parker (; born February 14, 1943) is an American funk and soul jazz saxophonist, best known for his work with James Brown in the 1960s, Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s and Prince in the 2000s. Parker was a prominent soloist on many of Brown’s hit recordings, and a key part of his band, playing alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. Since the early 1990s, he has toured under his own name.

Parker was born in Kinston, North Carolina, United States. Parker’s father played piano and drums in addition to singing in church with Parker’s mother; his brother Melvin played drums and his brother Kellis played the trombone. Parker and his brother Melvin joined James Brown in 1963; in his autobiography, Brown claims that he originally wanted Melvin as his drummer, but agreed to additionally take Maceo under his wing as part of the deal. In March 1970, Parker, his brother Melvin, and a few of Brown’s band members left to establish the band Maceo & All the King’s Men, which toured for two years.
In January 1973, Parker rejoined James Brown’s group. He also charted a single “Parrty – Part I” (No. 71 pop singles) with Maceo & the Macks that year. In 1975, Parker and some of Brown…