Drummer Mike ‘The Oracle’ Sturgis has a long and illustrious career in the Music and Music Education Industry. Inspired by watching Jaco Pastorius’ Birthday Concert as a student of the University of Miami he was fired up and started performing with US heavy weights Bob James, Randy Becker (memorable moment – double drum chair with Harvey Mason at the Hollywood Bowl) – moved over to the UK to play with A-ha at the height of their pop stardom and started to hit the drums yet harder with rock bands like Wishbone Ash, Psycho Motel (formed by Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith), 21 Guns (formed by Thin Lizzy Guitarist Scott Gorham) and Asia.
He started to hold pivotal positions in renowned British private Music Schools like the MI London, ACM, ICMP and as of recent DIME). At the same time he is looking forward to his 20 year sting with the ‘super-band’ The Staks which has led to many performances with A list artists like Steve Winwood, Jack Bruce, Lulu, Kiki Dee, Joss Stone, Beverly Knight, Madeline Bell – and many more.
Last but not least Mike has successfully occupied the Funkestra drum chair since 2005 with about 10 records under the belt featuring Jazz and Funk illuminates like Fred Wesley, PW Ellis, Prince’s New Power Generation horn section (the Hornheads), his former peers Andy Snitzer and Rick Margitzer, Eric Krasno, Elliott Randall and a growing list of funky A-listers.
