Marcus Gilmore

Marcus Gilmore is a multi-GRAMMY award winning drummer, composer, producer, and educator.

The New York based musician has been recognized with numerous awards, residencies, and fellowships – including becoming a 2018 – 2019 Protege in the Rolex Arts Initiative. Gilmore, in all his playing, integrates a unique style where he is musically expanding rhythm, while supporting the great musicians with whom he plays.

He has had the distinct privilege of performing/recording with Mulatu Astatke, Chick Corea, Pharoah Sanders, Savion Glover, Pat Metheny, Ambrose Akinmusire, Ravi Coltrane, Common, Flying Lotus, Robert Glasper, Natalie Cole, Steve Coleman, Zakir Hussain, Vijay Iyer, Derrick Hodge, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, Thundercat, Brad Mehldau, Cassandra Wilson, Nicholas Payton, Jill Scott, Talib Kweli, Queen Latifah, Norah Jones, Sanford Biggers, Black Thought, The Cadillacs, Bilal, Terence Blanchard, Roy Hargrove, Terrace Martin, Taylor Mcferrin, and Fred Armisen.

Marcus was featured on the cover of Modern Drummer Magazine for their June 2019 issue. He was chosen as a primary artist to contribute to the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, for the 2020 Oscar Award Winning Disney-Pixar film, “Soul”. He was commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra to write his first Orchestral work which debuted in 2020 with members of the Cape Town Philharmonic. In June 2023, Marcus premiered his full composition with the American Composers Orchestra, in NYC. In 2026, he premiered his first solo performance at Carnegie Hall in honor of Zakir Hussain.

With 25 years as a professional musician and performances in over 60 countries throughout his career – Marcus is just getting started. His latest projects include: the release of his critically acclaimed album “Journey to the New”, his innovative Marcus Gilmore Solo, Trio, and Quintet engagements, and the continued exploration of percussion with new sound compositions and rhythms thrilling music audiences worldwide.