Born in Paris in 1983 and raised in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts to jazz drummer Stephen McCraven (Sam Rivers, Archie Shepp) and Hungarian folk singer Agnes Zsigmondi, Makaya was exposed to broad ranges of influences from a young age. Makaya formulated his musical identity under the mentorship of jazz legends Archie Shepp, Marion Brown, and Yusef Lateef. In high school, McCraven cofounded Cold Duck Complex, a jazz hip hop band with a strong following in the Northeast through his years as a student at UMASS Amherst where he studied Jazz. At this time, Makaya played locally and opened for Wu-Tang Clan, Rhazel, Digable Planets, The Pharcyde, 50 Cent, Mixmaster Mike, and The Wailers.McCraven has played in some of the world’s best clubs, theaters, festivals and arenas. Makaya has shared the stage with a host of great artists such as Charles Neville, Lionel Louke, Soulive, Marcus Strickland, and Bernie Worrell. He has toured extensively, including a 52-city national tour opening for Steely Dan with The Bobby Broom OrganiSation. Makaya endorses Vic Firth sticks and Istanbul AGOP Cymbals.

Makaya McCraven layers his extensive experience with hip hop bands, African dance bands, Hungarian folk music, and indie rock on top of a deep history of “straight ahead” jazz, improvisation, and the avantgarde with beats, sampling, and electronics as a form of unique self expression. See him at Blue Note on July 14th and 15th.

For more information or for tickets, visit: https://www.showstart.com/event/57338