Born in Rochester, NY. Moved to New York City after graduating from Eastman School of Music in 2003.

Since moving to New York City in 2003, drummer/composer Ted Poor has established himself as a powerful voice on the jazz/improvised music scene. Ted
is a member of the Ben Monder Quartet, the Cuong Vu Trio, the Aaron Parks Trio, the David Berkman Quartet and the Jerome Sabbagh Quartet. In addition, Ted has recently worked along side Chris Potter, Bill Frisell, Donny McCasslin, Chris Speed, Maria Schneider, Kermit Driscoll, Kate McGary, Marc Ducret, David Fiuczynski, Rich Perry, Joe Locke, Wycliffe Gordon, John McNeil and Aaron Parks. Ted has toured extensively throughout Europe, the USA, and Asia. As a leader, Ted has released a CD entitled “All Around” (Trier 2003) and has formed Third Wheel, a dynamic trio featuring Ben Monder and Ralph Alessi.

Ted is now a resident of Seattle, where he has joined the band of Los Angeles based singer/song-writer Andrew Bird; appearing on and touring the albums Are You Serious and My Finest Work Yet (Loma Vista/Concord). As his presence in the Los Angeles music community has grown, Ted has collaborated with producers and artists such as Michel Froom, Blake Mills, Tony Berg and Madison Cunningham – appearing on Cunningham’s recent release Who Are You Now (Verve). Ted also performs regularly on the live radio broadcast of Live From Here with Chris Thile.

Ted signed with record label New Deal (Verve/Universal) in the fall of 2018.

Ted is an Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Washington in Seattle.