Maceo Parker with the final touch featuring three free-entrance concerts on Gran Canaria, Lanzarote & Tenerife

• The last weekend’s activities also includes Judith Hill, Joel Ross, Munir Hossn, Yuri Honing & Carita Boronska, among others
• There will also be performances by local groups such as Idafe Pérez, Mónica Santana, Barreiro Project, Natanael Ramos and Imazighen

The legendary North American saxophonist Maceo Parker will close the 28th edition of the Festival Internacional Canarias Jazz & Más Heineken with three free-entrance concerts, which promises to be the golden touch to a programme that has more than lived up to the expectations of its followers. Parker’s mini-tour of the Canaries will start this Thursday 18 July in the public square – Plaza de Santa Ana (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), then on Friday 19 in the square – Plaza del Almacén (Arrecife, Lanzarote) and ending on Saturday 20 in yet another square – Plaza Europa (Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife).

Recognised globally as one of the father founders of funk, Maceo Parker has collaborated regularly with such figures as James Brown, George Clinton (Parliament-Fundakelic) and Prince. He is a living legend who at the age of 76 still keeps demonstrating his virtuosity. “My music is a personal formula of 2% jazz and 98% funky stuff”, he states. The American artist (born Kinston, North Carolina, 14 February 1943) returns to the Canary Islands with a review of his prolific musical career, which includes a wide range of genres -soul, funk, jazz, rhythm and blues-, while maintaining a deep respect for tradition.

Parker was a member of James Brown’s band for a period of 25 years, forming part of the wind section with another saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and trombonist Fred Wesley; with whom he formed other groups, such as Maceo & All The King’s Men. He also participated in various bands led by George Clinton. On singles like Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag, I Got You (I Feel Good), Cold Sweat & Funky Drummer by James Brown, Maceo’s sax is a fundamental piece, contributing significantly to the birth of funk music.

In the decade of the 90’s, Parker focused on his solo career, achieving his ultimate consolidation with the album titled Life On Planet Groove (1992), which was followed by almost a dozen more discs, all with his distinctive mark. Among his extensive list of collaborations, one can find artists of the calibre of Ray Charles, Ani Difranco, James Taylor, De La Soul, Dave Matthews Band & Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

In his visit to the Canaries, Maceo Parker (vocals, sax & flute) will be accompanied by Greg Boyer (trombone), Will Boulware (keyboards), Bruno Speight (guitar), Rodney Skeet Curtis (bass), Nikki Glaspie (drums) & Darliene Parker (vocals). They will share the stage with the ensembles Munir Hossn Quartet and Mónica Santana Project; in Lanzarote with Judith Hill; and in Puerto de la Cruz with Carita Boronska Quartet & Barreiro Project. All the concerts are free-entrance and will start at 20.30 hours.

The rest of the programme will also feature some unforgettable concerts. On Friday 19, in the public square – Plaza de Santa Ana, the groups Yuri Honing Acoustic Quartet, Carita Boronska Quartet and Barreiro Project will take the stage; and to close the festival at this venue on Saturday 20 July, performances by the Idafe Pérez Group, Joel Ross ‘Good Vibes’ and Judith Hill are the featured billing.

Thursday will mark the beginning of the final phase in Puerto de la Cruz, with performances by Judith Hill, Yuri Honing Acoustic Quartet & Imazighen; on Friday it will be the turn of the Munir Hossn Quartet, Joel Ross ‘Good Vibes’ and Natanael Ramos’ ‘Islander’s Dilemma’; and on Saturday the closing concert featuring the afore-mentioned Maceo Parker together with the Carita Boronska Quartet and Barreiro Project.