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 these annual reunions.
After graduation from AU, Jane spent15 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.
Jane has a solid background in the “American Songbook, standards, blues and jazz. Among her musical influences are Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae, and Betty Carter. In fact, Jane created a show in honor of these six influential vocalists which focuses on music specifically associated with each one and is interlaced with colorful stories about their lives. Jane premiered her show for the Auburn University Woman’s Leadership Institute in 2004. She has since developed variations of the show aimed at college, University and arts association performances. In the meantime, she has produced a new CD, “Brand New Woman” and has scheduled appearances at CD release events in Auburn, AL, Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA.
She also spearheaded development of the “First Annual Bob Richardson Memorial Jazz Concert” at her alma mater Auburn University. Robert S. “Bob” Richardson was a much loved music professor/mentor and Head of the Jazz Studies Program at Auburn University until his death in 1991. His legacy as a teacher/mentor is the motivation behind this new series of live performances. Each year, Jane will invite 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. Jane is the featured vocalist in the kick-off concert in 2005. Among the students Richardson influenced who later achieved musical acclaim are Toni Tennille and Victor Atkins, pianist with Los Hombres Calientes.
In addition to working club dates locally and regionally, Ms. Drake has appeared as a special guest artist with the SuperJazz Band in Birmingham, AL, at several regional high school music concerts/workshops, numerous AU Jazz Lab Band Concerts, jazz concerts in AU Music Department, and Auburn Arts Association sponsored events.
To Jane, entertaining audiences in live performance, being as creative as possible, and continuing to develop as an artist is uppermost on her agenda. PBS’ motto, “A great nation deserves great art” rings true with Jane. She would like to feel she is contributing to that ideal with her own brand of individual artistry.