Makaya McCraven is a drummer and producer from Paris and Chicago, born in 1983, whose work sits across contemporary jazz, jazz and nu jazz. He builds a style that combines jazz and world-music roots with a strong hip hop and funk influence, and he is also associated with the flourishing zoo.

Background and early work

McCraven starts his professional career in high school as a co-founder of the hip hop group Cold Duck Complex. That band leads to support slots with acts including Wu-Tang Clan, 50 Cent, Rhazel, Digable Planets, The Pharcyde, Mixmaster Mike and the Wailers.

He is born in Paris to drummer Stephen McCraven and Hungarian folk singer Agnes Zsigmondi. His musical background includes extensive work across genres, and he is also active as an educator.

Recordings and collaborations

McCraven records extensively and works with a wide range of musicians, including Archie Shepp, Yusef Lateef, Bernie Worrell, Soulive, Samba Mapangala, Charles Neville, Fareed Haque, Marcus Strickland, Tony Monaco, Willie Pickens, Linonel Louke and Bobby Broom.

His debut as a leader is Split Decision, released on Chicago Sessions in 2012. The album receives critical attention from the Chicago Tribune, Jazz Weekly and All About Jazz, reaches number 6 on Blaze Radio's top 25 for 2012, and goes into first-round Grammy consideration. The record helps establish him on the Chicago music scene, alongside a performance by his 13-piece all-star band at Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park.

He later releases In the Moment on International Anthem Records. The project incorporates electronic elements and improvised music, and features Jeff Parker, Marquis Hill and D'Sean Jones.

Live performance and touring

McCraven is known for improvising a different live experience at each performance. He tours nationally and internationally, and performs at venues and festivals including the Chicago Jazz Festival, Detroit Jazz Fest, Elb Jazz Fest in Germany, Winter Jazz Fest in New York, Inntoene Festival in Austria, Ottawa Blues Fest, Porgy and Bess in Vienna, the Blue Note in New York City, the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, Regatta Bar in Boston and Fasching in Stockholm.

He also plays with The Bobby Broom Organi-Sation on a 52-city national tour opening for Steely Dan. His work with Bobby Broom as part of the Bobby Broom Trio produces My Shining Hour, which reaches number 3 and spends its first six weeks in the JazzWeek top ten.

Style and reputation

McCraven is described as a versatile and in-demand drummer, with recognition for his playing from publications including the Chicago Reader, DownBeat and All About Jazz. He is also noted for not separating his hip hop and rock influences from his jazz work, and he endorses Vic Firth sticks.