Makaya McCraven

With a gift for collapsing space, destroying borders and blending past, present, and future into poly-textural arrangements of post-genre, jazz-rooted music, McCraven is truly at the vanguard of modern jazz. Met with universal acclaim, his 2022 album In These Times featured in countless Album of the Year roundups, including Stereogum and NPR.

As a child of the nineties, hip-hop had an inescapable influence on the Chicago-based artist, whose dexterous approach has drawn comparison with the likes of the late J Dilla, while a recent collaboration with New York post-punk outfit Interpol gives an insight into McCraven’s versatility and broad appeal.

But it’s his ability to nimbly meld the visceral energy of hip-hop beats with the methodical precision of classic jazz – and then elevate the two into new realms – that makes him such a stand-alone performer. To quote The New York Times, McCraven has “quietly become one of the best arguments for jazz’s vitality” – don’t miss this chance to witness one of the genre’s most exciting and visionary performers at the top of his game.

Presented in partnership with The Eighty-Six.