Official Mike Clark Press Release

Owl Studios Signs Legendary Drummer Mike Clark

INDIANAPOLIS, December 10th, 2009 – Owl Studios is proud to announce that legendary drummer Mike Clark has been signed to the Owl Studios Artist Roster. Mike is currently working on a new album, which will be released on the Owl Studios label in 2010. Other artists on the session include Donald Harrison on Alto Sax, Fred Wesley on Trombone, Jerry Z on Organ, Lennny White on Drums and Owl Studios artists Rob Dixon on Tenor Sax and Derrick Gardner on Trumpet. The album, yet to be titled, will be a combination of jazz and funk tunes. When asked what drew him to signing with Owl Studios Mike answered: "The whole vibe seemed right, a good fit."

This past summer Mike played at The Jazz Kitchen with Rob Dixon and really liked the way he played. "I really dug Rob's playing. He's a great player and very soulful. I wanted to use him on the record I was working on. We started talking, one thing led to another, and just a few months later, I'm signing a contract with Owl!", says Mike. Al Hall, president of Owl Studios, stated: "Mike Clark is an extremely good fit with the theme of Owl Studios." Al also has promised a free CD to anyone who can repeat all of the other artists that Mike has performed with (in one breath, no circular breathing allowed)!

Mike Clark gained worldwide recognition as one of America’s foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock’s group in the early 1970’s. Mike became known as a major innovator through his incisive playing on Hancock’s Thrust album, which garnered him an international cult following. Mike has performed with jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Chet Baker, Tony Bennett, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Woody Shaw, Larry Coryell, Jack Wilkins, Wallace Roney, Geri Allen, Billy Childs, James Genus, Bob Hurst, Chris Potter, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, Dave Liebman, Nat Adderly, Oscar Brown Jr., Bill Doggett, Mose Allison, Maxine Brown, Gil Evans and his orchestra, and did a stint with Brand X, the acclaimed British fusion band, founded by Phil Collins. He has performed throughout the world at all the major jazz venues and festivals. Mike has recently returned from a one month US State Department tour through Russia and will soon be going back for another tour.