Born in Monroe, Louisiana, in 1955, Drake moved to Chicago with his family, where he began studying drums with Fred Anderson’s son. This eventually led to him replacing the son as the percussionist in Anderson’s group, and through Anderson, Drake was introduced to George Lewis and other members of the AACM.

Drake’s musical journey also extended into world music, performing with Foday Musa Suso’s Mandingo Griot Society in the late 1970s and exploring reggae rhythms as well. He has been part of several influential groups, including the Latin jazz ensemble Night on Earth, the Georg Graewe Quartet, the DKV Trio, Peter Brötzmann’s Chicago Octet/Tentet, and Liof Munimula, one of Chicago’s longest-running free improvisation groups.

Additionally, Drake has worked with a wide range of notable musicians, such as trumpeter Don Cherry, saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, bassist William Parker, and percussionist Mahmoud Gania. Since 1991, he has also performed a semi-annual solstice celebration with fellow Chicago percussionist Michael Zerang.

Drake’s extensive recorded work is primarily available through the Okkadisk label in Chicago.