Makaya McCraven

Drummer, producer and sound collaborator Makaya McCraven is currently one of Chicago’s most sought-after artists, whose inventive process and intuitive, cinematic style defy categorization. Considered a true innovator, McCraven brilliantly moves from one genre to another and pushes the boundaries of jazz, electronics, composition and rhythm to create its own forms.

His album In the Moment was released on International Anthem Recording in January 2015 and was quickly seen as a spectacular statement by McCraven, where he launched a unique brand of "organic rhythmic music" that quickly propelled him to the forefront-keeps not only internationally renowned jazz artists, but also from a niche genre of new wave composers-producers who blur the boundaries of jazz and electronic music. After his impressive debut, McCraven went on to release incredible releases, including Universal Beings (International Anthem) in 2018 and We’re New Again, his re-reading of Gil Scott-Heron’s latest album for XL Recordings. McCraven recently released Deciphering the Message - a collection of 13 tracks from Blue Note Records' extensive catalogue, rearranged and remixed with the new sound. The album was released in October 2021 by Blue Note Records.

In These Times is the new and seventh (!) album (released September 23, 2022) of the collaboration between International Anthem, Nonesuch and XL Recordings. In These Times includes several distinguished guests, including guitarist Jeff Parker, harpist Brandee Younger and Macie Stewart of Ohmme. Junius Paul, Marta Sofia Honer and Lia Kohl are also among those joining the Chicago percussionist.

Hip-hop percussions, machine music and sumptuous strings compete with pure and hard jazz in the latest album of the American drummer-producer - The Guardian