Prof. Malcolm Taylor

Malcolm W. Taylor is a percussionist and educator based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Focused on Afrofuturism aesthetics in concert percussion, he advocates for the creation and performance of new music and collaborates with artists from diverse backgrounds. His work incorporates theatrical elements and technology with percussion creating interdisciplinary performances, notably collaborating with Towson University Theatre Department on the 2018 production of Icarus at the Border.

Malcolm is a co-founder of Matchstick Percussion, a Maryland-based percussion quartet dedicated to uplifting voices of underrepresented composers. The group actively commissions and collaborates with composers and artists and tours their programs across the East Coast. He has also performed with the 21st Century Consort, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, Opera Lafayette, and the American Festival Pops Orchestra. Focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in percussion, Malcolm is a proud Professional Member of the Network for Diversity in Concert Percussion. He previously served on their board of directors for four years and was Marketing Chair from 2023-2025.

Malcolm is currently completing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at George Mason University as a Presidential Scholar. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Music Performance from Towson University and a Masters of Music from Penn State University where he was the Percussion Graduate Teaching Assistant.  Malcolm is a proud Yamaha Performing Artist.

Away from music, Malcolm can be found spending time with his wife, Jacqui, and their son August. He enjoys cooking, photography, tasting new coffees and teas, and exploring computer programming and electronics.