(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Prepare for a transcendent evening of music as two trailblazing forces in contemporary jazz, Makaya McCraven and Shabaka, unite for an extraordinary performance at McCarter Theatre Center on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Makaya McCraven, a visionary Chicago-based drummer, producer, and composer, is known for his genre-blurring style that merges jazz, hip-hop, and folk. Hailed by The New York Times as "one of the best arguments for jazz’s vitality," McCraven’s innovative approach to live improvisation and in-studio editing pushes the boundaries of jazz. His latest album, In These Times, crafted over seven years, has been recognized by NPR, Pitchfork, and others as one of the finest works in modern jazz. Joining McCraven will be his longtime collaborators and Chicago jazz scene standouts—Junius Paulon bass, Matt Gold on guitar, and Marquis Hill on trumpet—who help solidify his dynamic sound.
SHABAKA, formerly known as Shabaka Hutchings, is a groundbreaking multi-instrumentalist who helped put England’s 21st-century jazz scene on the map as the leader of influential groups like Sons of Kemet and The Comet Is Coming. His work transcends conventional notions of genre, drawing from a vast palette of cultural influences. A pioneering voice in British jazz, SHABAKA has also performed classical concertos with world-leading orchestras, underscoring his technical mastery and versatility. Currently embarking on a new artistic journey with global wind instruments like the Japanese shakuhachi and Native American drone flute, SHABAKA’s latest project, Perceive its Beauty, Acknowledge its Grace, has been described by Jazzwise as "a triumph of creative imagination."
“Makaya and SHABAKA have been the torchbearers of progressive jazz over the past decade,” said Paula Abreu, McCarter’s Director of Presented Programming. “We’re proud to continue pushing the legacy of jazz forward at McCarter with these incredible artists.”
Tickets are available for purchase online or by contacting the McCarter Ticket Office at (609) 258-2787. McCarter Theatre is located at 91 University Place in Princeton, New Jersey.
This double bill promises an evening that transcends genres, blending acoustic and electric sounds while highlighting the cultural and creative depths of jazz today.
McCarter is one of the country’s flagship theatres and a vibrant center for community and for the performing arts. Located on the campus of Princeton University, the company is an independent nonprofit, serving as a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub of arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages. A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence dates back to the theatre’s first performances in 1930. Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Kaufmann & Hart’s You Can’t Take It with You, and William Inge’s Bus Stop all had their premieres on the McCarter stage, paving the way for a long history of collaborations with playwrights to launch remarkable works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances reaching millions of audience members around the world. The company is equally revered for presenting global artists on its stages, including Alvin Ailey, Yo-Yo Ma, Samara Joy, Hasan Minhaj, Jon Stewart, Caetano Veloso, Rhiannon Giddens, Patti Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Lake Street Dive, and Herbie Hancock, among many others. Of the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company’s work every year, more than 5,000 are students taking part in McCarter’s robust educational offerings in Princeton, Trenton, and in schools throughout the region. McCarter leads with values of “justice and joy, and beauty in belonging,” creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.
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