McCoy Plaisted(he/him) is a rising drummer, educator, composer, arranger, and producer, hailing from New England. He began his study of the drums at age five when his uncle Andrew, a Boston-based blues drummer, gave him his first drum set. McCoy grew up surrounded by music, but his sound is unmistakably his own. Influenced by the music of artists like Peter Gabriel, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Joni Mitchell, A Tribe Called Quest, and MF DOOM, his sound is powerful, vulnerable, and raw. McCoy’s interactive drumming style and improvisational flair showcase his passion for the music he creates. Grounded in jazz, hip-hop, and beyond, McCoy pushes the boundaries of genre and sound to make bold statements.

McCoy’s music education was built upon performing in large ensembles, including the NH Jazz All-State Big Band and the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps. His passion to pursue a musical career was sparked as he began composing and arranging music at age sixteen. As a proud alumnus of UMass Amherst, McCoy graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Afro-American Music Studies. There, he performed as the principal drum set player in the Downbeat award-winning Jazz Ensemble 1 and Marimba Band 1. He represented the UMass Jazz Department in New York City at the International Association of Schools of Jazz conference in the summer of 2022. McCoy was also appointed as the center snare for the Sudler Trophy award-winning UMass Minuteman Marching Band and led its nationally recognized percussion section. Following graduation, McCoy accepted an invitation to return to his alma mater to teach the UMass Drumline.

McCoy is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at The New School. He also teaches and writes for both high school and collegiate drumlines while regularly performing across New England and the Tri-State Area as the bandleader of .mp3 – The McCoy Plaisted Project. McCoy’s domains extend beyond jazz and rudimental percussion; he regularly performs in musical theatre pit orchestras. Most notably, McCoy served as the drummer/percussionist for “A Complicated Woman” at Goodspeed Musicals and “Lizzie” at TheaterWorks Hartford, featuring female- and gender-nonconforming-centered casts and bands. As a working artist, drummer, teacher, composer, arranger, and producer, McCoy honors the history of African-American music and uplifts women, transgender, and non-binary artists in New England and beyond.

McCoy would be remiss if he did not credit his mentors who have nurtured him on his journey: Nick Goumas, Ron Plourde, Charles Davis, Tony Courounis, Michael “Stan” Moore, Tom Giampietro, Thom Hannum, Ian Hale, Jonathan Barber, Ryan Sands, Abraham Burton, and Victor Lewis. In addition to being excellent role models, McCoy’s mentors inspire him to write, play, and pursue his passions.