Ed Soph

Ed Soph, a jazz drummer and educator, was born on March 21, 1945, in Coronado, California, and grew up in Houston, Texas. He started at North Texas State University in 1963 as a music major but changed his focus to English in his second year. During his time there, he played with the One O'Clock Lab Band, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Stan Kenton. After earning his degree in 1968, he joined Woody Herman’s band following a recommendation from Cannonball Adderley. In 1971, he relocated to New York City and worked as a freelance performer and recording artist. Over his career, he collaborated with musicians including Clark Terry, Bill Watrous, Bill Evans, Marvin Stamm, Randy Brecker, Joe Henderson, Pat LaBarbera, Bill Mays, Cedar Walton, Dave Liebman, Chris Potter, Carl Fontana, and Slide Hampton. He taught at the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshop, the National Stage Band Camp, and the University of Bridgeport. In 1987, he returned to Texas to teach Jazz Studies and Performance at the University of North Texas. He was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2016 and retired the following year. Among his former students are Ari Hoenig, Keith Carlock, Chris DeRosa, Jason Sutter, and Dave Weckl.