Mike Clark

MIKE CLARK DRUMMER / BAND LEADER
MIKE CLARK gained worldwide recognition as one of America's foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock's group The Headhunters in the early 1970's. Replacing Harvey Mason in the drummer’s chair, Mike became known as a major innovator through his groundbreaking, incisive playing on Hancock's Thrust album, which garnered him an international cult following; it is widely accepted that Clark is one of the few, in the category of Elvin Jones and Tony Williams, to have changed the fundamental language of the drums.
A long-time resident of New York City, Mike has performed with jazz greats from A to Z too numerous to list, but including, in addition to Hancock, Nat Adderly, Chet Baker, Larry Coryell, Gil Evans and his orchestra, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Wallace Roney, Christian MacBride, Donald Harrison, Wayne Shorter, and Woody Shaw.
Originally from Oakland, California, Mike is credited with pioneering a particular style of East Bay funk drumming along with Dave Garibaldi of Tower of Power fame, and as a child prodigy, Mike grew up playing blues and rhythm and blues, learning on the stages of American music legends such as Bill Doggett, Mose Allison, Maxine Brown, Albert King, and Frogman Henry. He also did a stint with Brand X, the acclaimed British fusion band, founded by Phil Collins.
A faculty member of Drummers Collective, Mike has appeared at college clinics throughout the world, and has been featured in Downbeat, Musician, International Musician & Recording World, Modern Drummer, Jazz Times, Guitar Player, Jazziz and many jazz history and method books.
Called "the most sampled drummer in hip hop" Mike's beats have been used on tracks by musicians as diverse as NWA, Grandmaster Flash, Britney Spears, Prince and many others. His numerous recording credits, both as a sideman and bandleader include a compilation of his legendary, innovative funk beat samples, Mike Clark—The Headhunter, and a brand new edition of his beats on futureloops.com. Mike just completed a jazz effort with Donald Harrison, Patrice Rushen, and Christian Scott, and alternates his Headhunters tours with his own Prescription Organ Trio/Duo, and his popular jazz quartet. His diverse genre-defying talent continues to astound audiences and influence successive generations of drummers since his explosive arrival on the music scene with Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters.
Check Out Mike's New Beat and Loop CD by Future Loops
Prepare yourself to be stunned with the purest funk rhythms by legendary Headhunters drummer Mike Clark ! For years Mike has been a djs and music producers favourite and he is one of the 3 most sampled drummers of all time!..Now you can have his beats the way you like them : royalty-free and ready to go !
Mike lays down some serious funk beats in this deluxe collection that will have you nodding your head and shacking your hips in no time ! Mike Clark’s Funk Drums is a must have for anyone who needs to put some first-class grooves into their tracks.
Yes! These are 100% original and exclusive funk drums recorded by the “master of funk “ himself to fulfil all your needs for slammin’ beats and top notch rhythms.
Funk Drums is an absolutely superior library, assembling Mike Clark’s talent and experience with superb recording and production! Mike Clark’s Funk Drums has hundreds of beats , fills , rolls and even juicy percussion elements ! Each beat is provided raw and from at least 10 different mic perspectives (kicks , snares , room etc.. ) giving you unprecedented and total control ..Its like having Mike in the Studio just for you ! You can literarily take these grooves anywhere you want to !
Tempo ranges from 48-126 BPM and WAV samples are 24-bit. At the same time loops are also provided in REX format for maximum flexibility and there are over 500 drum hits included !...In short ..this collection is a killer !.. What are you waiting for? Let the groove take control and put your tunes on fire with this insane title!
Mike's New Book: FUNK DRUMMING Innovative Grooves & Advanced ConceptsLegendary Drummer Mike Clark ...
Mike's New DVD is Out!

"Loft Funk" from Mike's New DVD!

A Solo from Mike's New DVD!

Take a Closer look at Mike's New Book
Some of Mike's Influences!

See Mike Perform LiveMike Clark on DrummerworldMike's Paiste Cymbal SetupMike, Lenny White & More!

Interviews with Mike Clark

Mike Clark Interview on DrumRadio!Mike Clark Interview on FunkyDrummerInterview with Mike ClarkFireside Chat with Mike

CD's with Mike Clark

Herbie Hancock - ThrustConjunctionSummertimeMaster Drummers, Volume III: Mike Clark, The Headhunter