Makaya McCraven

Makaya McCraven plays the Cullen Theater at the Wortham Theater Center on Friday, November 13, 2026. He's a drummer, composer, and producer who's often called a 'beat scientist,' and the show is part of DACAMERA's 2026-2027 season.

If you're not familiar with how he works, his approach is a bit different from a standard jazz set. He marries live performance with electronic manipulation and looping, so the music evolves in real time rather than just following a chart. It's that combination of live playing and studio-style processing that earns him the 'beat scientist' label.

He's built a name on a few specific records. His debut, In the Moment, made the Top 10 lists at DownBeat and PopMatters. Later, Universal Beings and In These Times got nearly universal acclaim, with The New York Times calling him 'one of the best arguments for jazz's vitality.'

The concert fits into the broader theme of DACAMERA's current season, 'New ways of looking at old things,' which brings together chamber music, creative jazz, and new work. The idea is to connect contemporary composition with older forms and visual art, and McCraven's blend of live jazz and electronic looping fits right into that.

The show is at the Cullen Theater, 501 Texas Ave, Houston TX 77002, starting at 8 PM on Friday, November 13.