Prolific drummer, composer Makaya McCraven performs at Singletary in partnership with Origins Jazz Series
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 2, 2023) — In partnership with Origins Jazz Series, the University of Kentucky Singletary Center for the Arts is thrilled to present Makaya McCraven, a Grammy-nominated jazz sensation known for his groundbreaking work in blending jazz, hip-hop, and electronic elements into a unique and mesmerizing musical experience. McCraven is set to take the Singletary stage for a night of innovative and soul-stirring jazz 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6.
Makaya McCraven has been hailed as one of the most inventive and forward-thinking artists in contemporary jazz. His distinctive approach to music combines live improvisation with electronic manipulation, creating a soundscape that is both deeply rooted in tradition and boldly progressive. McCraven’s 2022 breakthrough album, “In These Times,” received widespread critical acclaim, landing on year-end Best of 2022 lists from The New York Times and the Guardian and was called “a self-contained musical world brimming with rhythmic complexity and dynamic variability, but approachable from every angle” by NPR.
“For this show in particular, the programming mission of the Singletary Center aligned with that of the Origins Jazz Series, so it was natural to partner together with them. When we had the chance to co-present the hottest rising star in the American jazz scene, we both leapt at the opportunity,” says SCFA Director Matthew Gibson on SCFA’s partnership with Origins. “Origins Jazz has been bringing a fantastic series of jazz performers to Lexington over the past six years, and this concert looks to be a memorable highlight of both SCFA’s and OJS’s concert series this year.”
In addition to the performance, SCFA is excited to offer a pre-concert percussion master class led by this acclaimed musician and composer at 4 p.m. in the SCFA Recital Hall. Whether you're a seasoned percussionist or simply curious about the world of beats and rhythms, this master class promises to be an inspiring and educational experience. McCraven’s master class is free and open to the public.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, 2023
Singletary Center for the Arts
Tickets are $29 adults/$12 UK students and can be purchased online at SingletaryCenter.com, by phone at 859-257-4929 or visiting the SCFA Ticket Office in person.
Never miss a new performance announcement or special presale opportunity. Sign up for Singletary Center’s email list HERE.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.