Legendary Maceo Parker to perform at festival

News release
1 February, 2008

Legendary

News release
1 February, 2008

Legendary Maceo Parker to perform at New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival, Christchurch

Maceo Parker, the father of funk, is coming to Christchurch to perform at the New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival in March.

The noted American funk and soul jazz saxophonist is best-known for his work with the late James Brown but for the past two decades has been a star in his own right and has been named best jazz musician by Rolling Stone magazine.

“It’s a huge coup to get someone of Maceo’s calibre to perform at the festival,’’ says festival organiser Jodi Wright. “This guy is a jazz legend – he’s performed alongside the likes of Prince, Ray Charles, James Taylor and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and his name is synonymous with funk music.

“This concert is going to be great.”

Tickets for Maceo Parker’s concert are due to go on sale on February 7 and Wright is expecting a sell-out crowd.

Parker is the latest big name act to sign up for the New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival which runs from March 25 to April 4. Top Australian soul artist Deni Hines and jazz virtuoso James Morrison have already confirmed they will be performing at the festival, which is the biggest in New Zealand dedicated to jazz and blues.

“I’m thrilled to announce that Lee Ritenour has also confirmed that he will play at this year’s festival,’’ Wright says.

Lee Ritenour first picked up the guitar at age six, and has since established himself as one of the world's leading jazz guitarists. At the age of 16, he played his first session with The Mamas and the Papas.

Known as "Captain Fingers”, Ritenour became a sought-after session player in the mid-70's. He began his own solo career in 1976 and now has over 30 albums and collaborations to his name.

The website for New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival goes live on Friday 1 February and tickets are on sale from Thursday February 7.

- Ends.

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