STEPHEN Mc CRAVEN Conceived and directed by world-renowned drummer Stephen Mc Craven, Black Studies is a multi-national group which combines the Black American musical traditions with African and other black cultural heritages. This group has a profound melodic conception, inspiring both mind and heart, which creates an astonishingly dynamic sound. Each a leader in his own right, Black Studies consist of leader and drummer Stephen Mc Craven (USA), keyboardist and pianist Tom Mc Clung (USA), trumpet player Rasul Siddik (USA), percussionist Lamine Sow (SENEGAL), guitarist José Palmer (REUNION), bassist Gildas Scouarnec (BRITTANY), and vocalist Suzy RANDRIA (MADAGASCAR). Each musician brings his own cultural experiences to the black American musical idiom, contributing arrangements and compositions featuring strong melodies and collective improvisations over a compelling and infectious rhythmic foundation. While respecting traditions, Black Studies music is of the new millennium, introducing the world to the fresh sounds of “New Jack Swing”.

This band "Stephen Mc CRAVEN n' BLACK STUDIES" is based in Paris. It's the new project of Mr Mc CRAVEN who has recorded seven albums as a leader.
Mr MC CRAVEN is also playing with the American saxophonist Archie SHEPP since more than eighteen years, he recorded ten albums by his side, and many films.

In addition, Stephen has worked with such internationally famous artists as Yusef Lateef, Sam Rivers, Mal Waldron, Harold Ashby, Marion Brown, Freddy Hubbard, Hank Crawford, Charles Tolliver, David “Feathead”Newman, Sugar Blue, Horace Parlan, Calvin Newborn, Michael Gregory, James Moody, Benny Golson, Sam Dockery, Arthur Blythe and many others.

Discography

With Steve Mac Craven as leader, six albums have been released

Wooley the Newt.................................................Sweet Earth Records
Intertwining Spirit (Featuring Sam Rivers) ...........Free Lance Records
International world.....................................................ASP Records
Up From The Skies...................................................Kaleidoscope Records
Songs Of Forest Boogaraboo ............................... (Featuring Archie Shepp)
Bosco.......................................................................... (Featuring Archie Shepp and Arthur Blythe)

Others Selected Recordings

Marion Brown :
La Placita.....................................Timeless Records
Zenzile..........................................Baystate Records

Sonny Grey :
Paris Big Band....................................Fantasy Records

Jemmel Moondoc :
The Athens Concert....................Praxis Records

Calvin Newborn :
From the Hip..............................Rooster Records

Sam Rivers :
Lazuli...............................................Timeless Records

Archie Shepp :
Lover Man...................................Timeless Records
Black Ballad................................Timeless Records
Something to live for

Archie Shepp –Eric Le Lann :
Live in Paris.....................Arcade

Yusef Lateef :
Tenor of Yusef Lateef and Archie Shepp......Yal Records
Yusef Lateef Plays Ballads.............................Yal Records
Full Circle............................................................Yal Records

Harold Ashby :
On the sunny side of the street..........Timeless records

Tom Mc Clung :
The Telling

The Critic

Stephen Mc Craven is a powerful drummer with Elvin-like thrashing.
Downbeat

Stephen Mc Craven is a remarkable percussionist who established himself as the true central figure of the group.
Jazz Magazine, Paris France

Stephen Mc Craven possesses an excellent concept of the cymbal
Jazz Hot Magazine, Paris France

Stephen Mc Craven plays admirably well in modern styles with a new conception of rhythm.
La batterie Drum magazine, Paris France

A superb technician with mature and extremely clean definition.
England Time, London England

Stephen Mc Craven is a dynamic and brilliant drummer.
Köln News, Köln Germany

Stephen Mc Craven is a hot and young drummer
Jazz Podium, Jazz Magazine, Germany

.............Energetic and creative and full of life.
Praxis, Athens News, Greece

Mc Craven’s musical diversity and ability are outstanding.
Roma News, Rome Italy

Mc Craven is one of the most exciting drummers i have ever heard. He sits enthroned above his kit ; when he lets fly with a two-drum flam, the sound hits you in your gut.
Maine Times Portland, Maine USA

Mc Craven is a marvel, a stocky man who plays with relentless intensity and creativity, spraying drum rolls, cymbal splashes and bass drum kick in a kaleidoscope of rhythm.
Daily Hampshire Gazette, Northampton, Massachusetts USA