Jane Drake
Jane Drake has been a professional jazz vocalist for most of her life. She got her start while a freshman at Auburn University (AU) when she won the coveted position as “girl singer” with the regionally famous Auburn Knights Orchestra (AKO). This 18 piece swing band was organized in the 30s and gained renown throughout the Southeastern United States - backing such musical greats as Frank Sinatra and Buddy Rich. Toni Tennille, of Captain and Tennille fame, is probably the band’s most well known alum. The AKO recently celebrated their 75th Year Anniversary - setting a unique record. Jane regularly takes to the bandstand with her old band mates at their annual reunions. However, once a year doesn't entirely seem to scratch that big band itch Jane appears to have. She is currently vocalizing with the Jazz Masters, a local working big band.
After graduation from AU, Jane spent 15 years as a professional jazz vocalist touring the Southeast-from Atlanta to Biloxi and Destin, FL to Bourbon Street in New Orleans - honing her craft by working with various sized groups and learning by listening to all the great jazz vocalists. She has a solid background in the “American Songbook,” and lists Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson and Chis Conner as her earliest influences.
After moving back home to the Auburn area, Jane produced a CD, “Brand New Woman,” which has received glowing reviews and airplay on 75 plus jazz stations around the United States and the world, including Canada, Australia and Luxembourg. Recently Jane's version of "I've Got it Bad" was featured on a jazz station in The Netherlands as a part of a tribute to Chet Baker. Her CD was also a feature on Georgia Public Broadcasting's The Jazz Spot with Masani. Later, Jane and her trio were asked to record a live performance in GBP studios in Atlanta. It was part concert /part interview with Jane, which aired as a segment of the Jazz Spot in 2006.
Jane always loved to sing. But her interest in the history of Jazz vocalists, meshed with her passion for increasing live jazz performance, created some interesting turns in her career. In 2004, Jane created a show for the Auburn University Woman’s Leadership Institute in honor of six influential vocalists: Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae, and Betty Carter. Jane performs music specifically associated with these ladies while interlaced colorful stories about their lives. She has since developed variations of the show aimed at colleges, Universities, arts associations and house party performances.
Jane’s interest in supporting and inspiring the next generation of jazz players and fans also led her to create the “Annual Bob Richardson Memorial Jazz Concert” at her alma mater Auburn University. Robert S. “Bob” Richardson was head of the Jazz Studies Program at Auburn University until his death in 1992. His legacy as a much loved, charismatic teacher/mentor is the motivation behind this series of live performances. Each year, Jane invites former Richardson students, who are actively playing jazz, to appear as guest artists. The aim is to honor Richardson’s contribution to so many lives and to support live jazz performance in a cultural community event. As the concert gains ground, Jane hopes to be able to award a jazz scholarship to young players in Richardson’s name.
To Jane, entertaining audiences in live performance, crafting creative jazz arrangements, and developing further as an artist is what life is all about.