Aaron Edgcomb (he/they) is a composer, drummer, and percussionist from Reno, NV, currently living in Brooklyn, NY whose work appears in such contexts as improvisational music, jazz, “new music”, noise, and song. At the forefront of Aaron’s artistic practice is considering how music creates and changes ideology.
Aaron has performed in and composed for many ensembles including: the avant-rock band Clak; the solo percussion and electronics project REA; The Gown of Entry an improvisational trio that incorporates poetry; and the improvising hardcore trio Trigger. They have collaborated with such artists as John Zorn, Ted Reichman, Chris Williams, Lisa Hoppe, Adam Dunson, The Ladles, and Anthony Coleman.
Aaron has performed extensively around the world at such venues as the MoMA PS1, National Sawdust, Roulette, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Philharmonie de Paris, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Sarajevo Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Em Agosto Festival in Lisbon; not to mention the uncountable and invaluable living rooms, garages, basements, and DIY venues that work so hard to keep creative music alive.
Closely tied to their work as an improviser and composer is Aaron’s background in concert percussion. Aaron performs solo marimba, vibraphone, and multi-percussion works. In 2014 Aaron debuted his solo marimba composition “Dawn Has Appeared” as part of Ran Blake’s 80th birthday concert at the New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall. He has also performed orchestral works with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra and Reno Chamber Orchestra.
Aaron holds a B.M. in Jazz and Percussion from the University of Nevada, Reno, where his studies ranged from music to gender and identity, as well as a M.M. in Contemporary Improvisation from the New England Conservatory.
Currently, Aaron is composing new works for solo and ensemble performance (and occasionally poetry and prose) and teaching percussion/composition/improvisation.
aaron edgcomb 