With a full roster of local and national artists, the music and energy of Springfield (MA) Jazz and Roots Festival on August 11th at Court Square seemed even more vibrant in contrast with the gloomy weather. Performing artists include Wanda Houston, Avery Sharpe, Pedrito Martinez, Magdalena Gomez and Ben Barson, John Cleary, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Eric Bascom, Berkshire Batera and Bossa Triba, Mtali Shaka Banda, Ethel Lee Ensemble, Salsa Train Orquestra, and the incredibly fun Somalian Afropop crew A2V2.
The free festival not only serves the community, but also is dedicated to the late saxophonist Charles Neville, who passed in April 2018, an iconic figure in jazz, and major figure in the revitalization of the jazz festival for Springfield. Mayor Domenic Sarno declared that the city will henceforth recognize August 11 as Charles Neville Day. With a New Orleans style second line parade and a moving performance by members of his immediate family and friends honored his legacy and spirit. The positive sense of community at Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival reflects its continued efforts to foster diverse music and culture in the area.
For the main event, even before he put reed to mouth on his tenor saxophone, 75 year-old Maceo Parker, a key member of horn section of the giants of funk James Brown, George Clinton, and Prince, enters stage with some fancy footwork, reminiscent of James Brown. For a brief moment, we are transported back into a golden age of soul and funk in the mid 60’s to late 70’s.
His impressive discography is a history of how soul and funk developed during and beyond those years. Often most known for working as sideman, Parker has, however, been the main attraction for decades with solo influential hits, such as “Cross the Tracks,” (1975) and “Soul Power 74, (1974). His saxophone work is a vital and emblematic component for that powerhouse horn sound, and the many others who sought his authoritative saxophone on their own work, including Bryan Ferry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and classic 90s groove-house band Deee-Lite.
At Springfield Jazz and Roots Maceo Parker mixes up his own tunes, funky Parliament, hints of Prince, and of course James Brown . When he plays these you realize his contributions as a side man a headliner are in the fabric of funk, and now you get to see it all highlighted along with jazz standards, including Burt Bacharach” The Look of Love.” It’s lesson in funk history, and Maceo Parker seems to have been there teaching us all along.
