McCoy Plaisted (he/him) is a rising New England-based drummer, educator, composer, arranger, and producer. 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. McCoy offers a fresh perspective on his songs by drawing inspiration from storytelling and self-reflection. Influenced by the music of 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. 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.

McCoy now teaches the UMass Amherst Drumline and performs across New England as bandleader of .mp3. He has produced and released two EPs and composed and arranged dozens of works for his band. Recently, McCoy performed as the drummer/percussionist for “A Complicated Woman” at Goodspeed Musicals and “Lizzie” at TheaterWorks Hartford, featuring female and non-binary-centered casts and bands. As a working artist, drummer, teacher, composer, arranger, and producer, he honors African-American music's history and uplifts women, transgender, and non-binary artists in New England and beyond. He is particularly active in the MA, CT, and New York City Jazz scenes.

In the future, McCoy plans to move to the Tri-State area to pursue a performance career and a Master’s degree in music. McCoy is excited to continue meeting new people and forming personal bonds beyond music. McCoy would be remiss if he did not credit his mentors who have nurtured him on his journey: Nick Goumas, Dave Jamrog, Ron Plourde, Charles Davis, Tony Courounis, Michael “Stan” Moore, Tom Giampietro, Thom Hannum, Ian Hale, Jeffrey W. Holmes, Jonathan Barber, and Ryan Sands. In addition to being excellent role models, McCoy’s mentors inspire him to write, play, and pursue his passions.