Ed Soph

Who is Ed Soph?

Edward "Ed" Soph is an American jazz drummer and educator.

Soph was raised in Houston, Texas. He enrolled at North Texas State University in 1963 as a music major, but switched his concentration to English during his sophomore year. While at UNT, Soph performed with the One O'Clock Lab Band as well as summer tenures with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and Stan Kenton. He graduated in 1968 and joined Woody Herman due to a recommendation from Cannonball Adderley.

Soph moved to New York City in 1971, and began performing and recording freelance. Soph has played with the bands of Clark Terry, Bill Watrous and Woody Herman, as well as the small groups of Bill Evans, Marvin Stamm, Randy Brecker, Joe Henderson, Pat LaBarbera, Bill Mays, Cedar Walton, Dave Liebman, Chris Potter, Carl Fontana and Slide Hampton, amongst others. Soph also pursued his teaching career while working as faculty at The Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshops, The National Stage Band Camps and The University of Bridgeport.

Soph returned to Texas in 1987 and is currently a Professor in the Jazz Studies and Performance divisions of the College of Music at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.