Maceo Parker: Soul Classics

The US funk legend interprets soul classics with the WDR Big Band. On "Soul Classics", the American funk musician Maceo Parker meets up with some unusual collaborators: in addition to Christian McBride on bass and Cora Coleman-Dunham, who has already sat behind the drums for Prince and Beyonce, among others, it is above all the WDR Big Band. The album takes us back to the best days of soul music. Parker, who pioneered funky saxophone playing as James Brown's saxophonist in the 1960s and thus influenced generations of saxophonists, interprets soul classics from James Brown to Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes and many more in new versions arranged by the chief conductor of the WDR Big Band, Michael Abene. Maceo Parker in top form in a breathtaking concert on the occasion of the Leverkusen Jazz Days. The album features nine songs from Parker's performance at the Leverkusen Jazz Days in November 2011. Outstanding guests are Christian McBride (drums) and Cora Coleman-Dunham (drums) together with the 15-piece Cologne ensemble under the direction of arranger and conductor Michael Abene. The line-up: Maceo Parker - saxophone, vocals Christian McBride - bass Cora Coleman-Dunham - drums Michael Abene - conductor and arranger Johan Hörlén, 1st as Karolina Strassmayer 2nd as Olivier Peters, 1st ts Paul Heller 2nd ts Jens Neufang, bs Wim Both, 1st tp Rob Bruynen, 2nd tp Andy Haderer, 3rd tp Klaus Osterloh, 4th tp John Marshall, 5th tp Ludwig Nuss, 1st tb Marshall Gilkes, 2nd tb Christophe Schweitzer, 3rd tb Mattis Cederberg, b-tb Frank Chastenier, p Paul Shigihara, g