Blowhard

Saxophonist Maceo Parker has played with many of the greats. Stints with James Brown, George Clinton and Bootsy Collins' Rubber Band led him to be forever associated with funk. A solo career as well as guest spots with such devotees as Dee-Lite and the countless sampling of his sounds on rap and R&B hits took him through the '80s and beyond. His sax is a common thread that ties the '60s to the '00s and will probably carry on long after all of us are gone. Now Parker comes to Dallas to present an R&B, soul and big band review. The show comes in two parts, a fully orchestrated set (with big band arrangements of some well-known Parker originals accompanied by Germany's WDR Big Band) and a tribute to Ray Charles (who Parker counts among his earliest and most important influences) with Parker paired with the rhythm section of bassist Rodney "Skeet" Curtis and drummer Dennis Chambers. Make it funky 7 p.m. Wednesday at the House of Blues. Tickets are $22.50 to $75. Call 214-978-2583 or visit hob.com for tickets and information.
Wed., Feb. 27, 7 p.m., 2008