Malcolm Parson
A native of New Orleans, cellist Malcolm Parson has been hailed as “the most creative cellist of his generation.” According to Grammy Award winner, Eugene Friesen, “He is that rare player with feet planted firmly in classical music and the music of our time while possessing perfect intonation, fluent technique, and stylistic versatility.”
Malcolm studied at Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s “Talent Development Program” and Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, giving his first performance as a soloist with an orchestra at age 14. He made his debut in Atlanta with the Atlanta Symphony Community Orchestra after winning their Young Artist Competition, and followed with debuts at The National Black Arts Festival “Classics From The Next Generation”, and Andre Watts “50th Birthday Celebration”. He was also awarded his first personal violin from The Louis Armstrong Foundation Inc “Golden Horn Award” and his first personal cello from The National Academy of Recording Arts & Science (NARAS).
A longtime member of the grammy winning “Carolina Chocolate Drops,” Malcolm has also shared the stage with musicians and bands such as James Lauderdale, Della Mae, Del McCoury, Old Crow Medicine Show, Ron Carter, Paquito D’Rivera, Patrice Rushen, Toshi Reagon, Terri Lynn Carrington, Dave Liebman, and Christian Howes as well as collaborating with choreographers such as Twyla Tharp, Julia Gleich, and dance company Brooklyn Ballet.
As a composer he has written numerous compositions for solo cello, small ensembles, and short films. His solo cello composition “Solitude” has been premiered as a collaboration piece with choreographer Julia Gleich and is currently being orchestrated for solo cello and orchestra that will be performed by Forsyth Youth Orchestra in 2015.
