This booking of the great Chicago drummer/composer/improviser Makaya McCraven proves that Earshot Jazz Festival's organizers know what's happening with younger musicians in the game, as well as with its elders. Along with Ben LaMar Gay, Jeff Parker, Damon Locks, and jaimie branch, McCraven is part of the International Anthem label's bold roster of exceptional fusionists. On his latest album, 2018's critically acclaimed Universal Beings, McCraven achieves a deft balance between earthy and astral jazz-funk. Using vibes, harps, and strings to augment a restlessly inventive rhythm section, McCraven generates a rich, spiritual sound that bears a passport to many far-flung spots on the musical map. by Dave Segal