Ted Poor

Ted Poor is a New York-born, Seattle-based drummer, composer, and producer whose adventurous, soulful playing has vaulted him to the stages of some of today’s most vital artists. Modern Drummer describes his playing as “adventurous, truly dynamic, and forward-thinking.” A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Ted has toured and recorded with renowned artists such as Paul Simon, John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Rufus Wainwright, Pat Metheny, Blake Mills, Madison Cunningham, Lizzy McAlpine, Chris Thile, Cuong Vu, Lucy Dacus, Marcus Mumford, and Kurt Rosenwinkel. 

Having signed with Verve Records (UMG), his debut album, You Already Know, was released in 2020 to critical acclaim. The album, which is co-produced with Blake Mills, features Andrew D’Angelo, Andrew Bird and Rob Moose. JazzTimes calls the album “profound and moving” and states, “intimate, involving, and lasting, You Already Know balms the senses, wakes them up, slaps them around, and offers positive affirmations.” 

A long standing member of Los Angeles based singer/song-writer Andrew Bird’s band, Ted has appeared on numerous records and world-wide tours. He also performed regularly in the house band on the live NPR radio broadcast of Live From Here with Chris Thile (formerly A Prairie Home Companion). 

Ted is an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies and the Associate Director of the School of Music at the University of Washington in Seattle. In 2025, he was selected as one of six fellows to the inaugural cohort of the Provost’s Academy – a university-wide leadership development program – to support campus-wide arts initiatives.