Sax Machine

MACEO PARKER, funk’s most famous sax player, talks about James Brown, George Clinton and his current album, a tribute to Ray Charles. Interview by Jason Draper.

Anyone who’s heard even the barest minimum of James Brown’s classic mid-to-late 60s tracks can’t fail to have heard the barked order, “Maceo! Blow your horn!” Even more recently, any of the roughly 400,000 people who saw Prince during his 21 Nights In London residency at the O2 Arena would have heard it imitated by Brown’s 80s heir apparent, as Maceo featured in his horn section for most of the 21-night run.

Currently touring Europe with his own band, Parker has recently released Roots & Grooves, a 2-CD live album recorded with Cologne’s WDR Big Band, with one disc being a tribute to his hero, Ray Charles, and the second returning to Maceo’s funk roots. Having played with James Brown, George Clinton and Prince, Parker is the funkiest, longest-serving sax player out there today. “I really enjoy being me,” he says…

Has playing with a big band been something you’ve wanted to do for a while?

I’m not sure if I wanted to do it – know what I mean? But once we got into it, I said, “Whoah, this is nice.” I don’t remember saying, “You know what? God, it would sure be nice to …

by Jason Draper
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