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Drummer Makaya McCraven


  • Jazz Showcase 806 S Plymouth Ct Chicago United States (map)

Makaya McCraven is a beat scientist. The bleeding edge drummer, producer, and sonic collagist is one of Chicago’s savviest cultural players and a multi-talented force whose inventive process & intuitive, cinematic style defy categorization.

French-born but raised in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts by expatriate musician parents, McCraven studied Jazz at the University of Massachusetts Amherst under the mentorship of jazz luminaries Archie Shepp, Marion Brown, and Yusef Lateef, and eventually went on to develop his chops in Chicago’s burgeoning scene.

His breakthrough album In the Moment was released with International Anthem Recording Co. (IARC) in 2015 and received widespread acclaim, proving to be a dramatic statement by McCraven that quickly launched him into the vanguard of not only Internationally-known jazz artists, but also a niche genre of next-wave composer-producers blurring the boundaries of jazz & electronic music.

His recent releases, the DJ-style mixtape Highly Rare (IARC, 2017) as well as an internationally recorded Where We Come From (CHICAGOxLONDON Mixtape) (IARC, 2018) have been well received globally, leading to increased bookings in some of the world’s best clubs, theaters, and festivals alongside the likes of Corey Wilkes, Bobby (Baabe) Irving (Miles Davis), Ari Brown, and Bernie Worrell.

McCraven is currently on tour and most recently released Universal Beings, a 2xLP album featuring an A-list of “new” jazz players from New York, Chicago, London & Los Angeles

Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test within 48 hours required for all shows

Thursday
Makaya McCraven, Junius Paul, Matt Gold, Brandee Younger, Marquis Hill, De’Sean Jones

Friday
Makaya McCraven, Junius Paul, Matt Gold, Brandee Younger, Marquis Hill, De’Sean Jones

Saturday
Makaya McCrave, Junius Paul, Matt Gold, Brandee Younger, Marquis Hill, De’Sean Jones, Johari Stamey

Sunday Matinee
Makaya McCraven, Matt Gold, Brandee, Marquis Hill, De’Sean Jones, Greg Ward

Sunday 8PM
Makaya McCraven, Junius Paul , Matt Gold, Brandee Younger, Marquis Hill, De’Sean Jones, Greg Ward


Thursday & Sunday
— $25 general admission —

— $40 VIP preferred seating —

Friday & Saturday
— $30 general admission —

— $45 VIP preferred seating —

Earlier Event: December 1
Palm, Halim, & Friends
Later Event: December 6
Bob Lark