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Makaya McCraven, Sam Ospovat, Johnathan Blake
by Ludovico Granvassu
Here is a playlist that gives the drummers some, actually more than some as it focuses exclusively on records released by remarkable modern drummers and composers/bandleaders like Makaya McCraven, Sam Ospovat, and Johnathan Blake.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Johnathan Blake “Last Breath" My Life Matters (Blue Note) 0:16 Host talks 7:12 Makaya McCraven “Venice" Off the Record: PopUp Shop (Nonesuch/International Anthem) 9:25 Makaya McCraven “News Feed" Off ...
Continue ReadingConversations Across Time: Makaya McCraven, Beat Scientist
by Leo Sidran
Makaya McCraven is a drummer, producer, and composer who has carved out a unique space in contemporary music as a self-proclaimed “beat scientist." His work blurs the lines between live performance and production, drawing on a broad range of influences from jazz, hip hop, and global traditions. Known for his improvisational prowess and innovative approach to rhythm, McCraven's projects challenge conventional boundaries and redefine how music is created and experienced.Born into a musical family, McCraven's father, Stephen McCraven, ...
Continue ReadingMakaya McCraven At Barbican Centre
by Chris May
Makaya McCraven with London Contemporary Orchestra Barbican Centre, Main Hall In These Times London November 11, 2023 Jazz, said Whitney Balliett in 1958, is the sound of surprise. The New Yorker critic, who passed in 2007 but remains one of jazz literature's most felicitous writers, was describing jazz in a broad generic sense. Yet the aphorism applies equally well to the London concert premiere of Makaya McCraven's In These Times (International Anthem, ...
Continue ReadingMakaya McCraven: In The Moment to In These Times
by Rob Garratt
Makaya McCraven needs a coffee--fast. It's 4pm and he's crashing. It will be his third of the day. His first caffeine hit, consumed on stage six hours earlier, was a chemical necessity; McCraven was drinking at a nearby Irish pub until the early hours and nearly missed his early morning panel talk appearance alongside fellow percussion luminaries Antonio Sanchez and Nate Smith. Something tells me it won't be his last cup before bedtime--at 10:30 tonight the multi-hyphenate musician will present ...
Continue ReadingBrandee Younger: Brand New Life
by La-Faithia White
American harpist and composer Brandee Younger fuses hip hop, classical, funk and jazz on Brand New Life. Younger became a Grammy award nominee for her label debut. Brand New Life features new works inspired by her hero, harpist Dorothy Ashby. “You're A Girl For One Man Only" written by Younger and Ashby, has reinterpretations of Dorothy Ashby; a beautiful, meditative love song and nice collaboration with the vibraphone; a smooth introduction with Younger and drum snares. “Brand New ...
Continue ReadingMakaya McCraven: Deciphering the Message
by Angelo Leonardi
Il debutto in casa Blue Note di Makaya McCraven è un omaggio alla storia musicale dell'etichetta, espresso ovviamente in prospettiva personale. Come ha fatto nei suoi dischi recenti—e in particolare nell'omaggio a Gil Scott-Heron (We're New Again, XL Recordings 2020)-il batterista e produttore di Chicago usa creativamente la tecnologia sperimentata dai DJ e produttori di hip-hop e club culture, in prospettiva nuova. Il classico repertorio Blue Note degli anni cinquanta e sessanta suscita l'attenzione delle subculture giovanili ...
Continue ReadingRinascita a Chicago: le gemme dell’etichetta International Anthem
by Angelo Leonardi
Non è casuale che l'etichetta indipendente più innovativa nell'attuale panorama jazzistico (e non solo) sia nata e operi a Chicago. È noto infatti che la metropoli dell'Illinois è una delle capitali del jazz, avendo svolto un ruolo centrale in tutta la storia musicale afro-americana, talvolta paritetico con quello di New York. Nel 2014 a quasi cinquant'anni esatti dalla nascita dell'AACM (peraltro ancora vitale) grazie all'International Anthem Chicago torna a catalizzare l'attenzione del pubblico del jazz. Ovviamente non ...
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