About Sam Balcom

A graduate of Towson University's percussion program, Sam has amassed 14 years of experience as a working musician in Baltimore performing in orchestras, wind ensembles, marching bands, percussion ensembles, touring rock bands, traditional jazz groups, and a wide variety of creative improvising ensembles.  He has had the wonderful privilege of participating in the vibrant Baltimore music community spawned by the faculty and graduates of institutions like Towson University and Peabody Conservatory, performing exciting and challenging original music with groups such as the Out of Your Head Improvised and Experimental Music Collective, Memetics, Jazz Lunch, Time Toss, and the Baltimore Rock Opera Society.  

Performance highlights include collaborations with renowned percussionist Rich O’Meara and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Michael Colgrass with the Towson University Percussion Ensemble, the U.S. premiere of Rudd Wiener's epic percussion quartet Go Beyond, appearances at Baltimore's Artscape and Light City Festival with various groups, as well as bills shared with modern jazz legends and pioneers Tony Malaby, Gerald Cleaver, and Michael Formanek.  His experience in a diverse array of ensembles has led to performances at exciting venues ranging from Ram’s Head Live, Fillmore Silver Spring, and SECU Arena to Baltimore creative havens like An Die Musik and the Windup Space.