McKaya McCraven is not your typical jazz drummer. No indeed he is not–his music spans so many generations of jazz. He and his groups are always pushing the boundaries of jazz and in an unique way. Case in point, here he is found with a quartet (drums, vibes, bass and cello) of world class musicians playing rhythmic layers and textures of sound somewhat reminiscent of Miles’ “In A Silent Way”. Further enhancing the experience, the sound was captured on the highest quality equipment using a custom Studer 8-track tape deck and world-renown vintage tube microphones. The result is a recording of startling presence and of natural sound. Many have commented that the vibes and drum sound on this recording are as good as ever recorded. Combined with an original, yet easy-to-listen-to performance, this is a true gem of modern jazz and a true delight for those interested in the highest quality sound.

For the past five years, 29-year-old trumpeter Marquis Hill has been invigorating the Chicago jazz scene with his sleek approach to modern jazz, which often incorporates elements of spoken word and hip-hop. JazzTimes praised his trumpet playing by stating, "His articulation, precise but unlabored, calls to mind the precedent of Clifford Brown, while his bravura phrasing suggests an equal immersion in Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw. All of which surely helped his cause at Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, in 2014, where he won first prize".

Drummer/producer Makaya McCraven brings together "future-is-now drumming” with his roots in jazz and world music to form his unique and powerful sound. Regarded as “one of Chicago’s most versatile and in demand drummers” (Chicago Reader) and described by Downbeat Magazine as “exceptional on the drums,” Makaya McCraven moves between genres at lightning speed. "In The Moment" is nearly 48 hours of live improvised performance recorded at 1 venue over 12 months and 28 shows - culled, cut, rendered, and remixed into 19 potent pieces of organic beat music. This is music made by a 21st century man who sees no need to suppress his hip hop chops or rock spirit in an effort to fit in and be dubbed a jazz drummer.

Drummer/producer Makaya McCraven traveled to London in October of 2017 to record material for a new album (which has since been titled Universal Beings & will come out on International Anthem in Fall of 2018).

To mark the tenth anniversary of the release of I’m New Here , the thirteenth - and last - studio album from the legendary US musician, poet and author Gil Scott-Heron, XL Recordings will release a unique reinterpretation of the album by acclaimed US jazz musician Makaya McCraven. The Chicago drummer and producer transforms Gil-Scott Heron's final album into a masterpiece of dirty blues, spiritual jazz, and deep yearning. (Pitchfork)

A new project by Chicago-based drummer/producer Makaya McCraven. An addendum to his critically-acclaimed 2018 release Universal Beings, which The New York Times said "affirms the drummer and beatsmith's position as a major figure in creative music," Universal Beings E&F Sides presents fourteen new pieces of organic beat music cut from the original sessions, prepared and produced by Makaya as a soundtrack to the Universal Beings documentary film.