Mike Drake is originally from Durban, South Africa. He moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex to study at the University of North Texas in Denton, where he received his degree in jazz studies.
Both locally and nationally, he is very active leading his band, as well as performing as a sideman sharing the stage and/or recording with such acts as: Randy Brecker, Conrad Herwig, Dick Oatts, Dave Liebman, Marvin Stamm, Kenny Werner, Ed Calle, Paquito De’ Rivera, Bobby Shew, Kenny Rankin, Vincent Gardner, Vic Juris, Brian Bromberg, Bobby Militello, Jeff Jarvis, Kevin Mahogany, Byron Stripling, Ed Calle, Joe Henderson, Billy Taylor, Lee Konitz, George Mraz, Lewis Porter, John Pattitucci, Frank Wess, Conti Condoli, Sharel Cassity, Michael Dease, Linda Oh, Tim Ishii, Brian Mulholland, Dan Cavanagh, Ken Edwards, Mark Murphy, Steve Morse, Andrew Firth, Dave Pietro, Rosemary Clooney, Dan Haerle, Stefan Karlsson, Lynn Seaton, Fred Hamilton, Rosana Eckert, Rodney Booth, Pete Brewer, Jay Saunders, Jim Riggs, Joe McBride, Harvey Mason, Paul English, John Adams, Brian Piper, Dave Zoller, Genie Grant, Trella Hart, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Pete Petersen and The Collection Big Band, Cal Lewiston Orchestra, Keely Smith, Fifth Dimension, John Gary, The Platters, The Inkspots, Mamas and Papas, Jerry Jeff Walker, Eartha Kitt, Phil Perry, to name a few.
Mike is also active in the metroplex as a drum-set instructor at the University Of North Texas, the University Of Texas in Arlington, and privately in his studio.
He has also performed many drum set workshops and at jazz camps in the United States, as well as internationally. Mike is also sought after to record on numerous CDs for various artists, as well as radio and television commercials.