Stephen Mccraven Heritage

Stephen McCraven Heritage is a group of five experienced musicians with a deep jazz heritage. Led by American drummer Stephen McCraven—who has collaborated with Archie Shepp, Sam Rivers, and Marion Brown—the group develops rhythmic and organic music, nourished by African influences, spiritual jazz, and the avant-garde. Two saxophones, powerful percussion, and the absence of harmonic string instruments give the group's sound a unique energy.
Alongside McCraven, Sulaiman Hakim (alto saxophone) began his career in Max Roach's quintet and has collaborated with artists such as bluesman Luther Allison. Ricky Ford (tenor saxophone), a graduate of the New England Conservatory, played in the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington, then with Charles Mingus, notably on the album Cumbia & Jazz Fusion. Lamine Sow (djembe and percussion), of Senegalese and Guinean origin, began his career with the Ballet Bougarabou and has toured internationally with the groups Empire Mandingue and Black Studies. Finally, Florent Allirot (double bass), trained in classical and jazz, is active on the jazz, folk, and contemporary scenes, notably with the Son Moeun Project, and in collaborations with Ercüment Orkut and the Léa Layne Trio.

As part of the JAZZ SUR SEINE 2025 Festival.