London-based American drummer Mike Sturgis has been the drummer in bassist Stefan Redtenbacher’s jazz-funk band Redtenbacher’s Funkestra since 2005, where bandmates call him “The Oracle.” He anchors the band’s live-in-the-studio Masterlink Sessions, including a June 2026 mash-up of “Sledgehammer” and Sly Stone’s “Thank You” with singer Greg Coulson, and also plays with The Staks.
A veteran of A-ha, Asia and Wishbone Ash, Mike has also played with Steve Winwood, Paul Carrack, Jack Bruce, David Bowie, Elton John, Lou Reed and Joss Stone. As an educator he was Head of Drums at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford for 13 years, has taught at ICMP in London, later served as Head of Education at DIME Online, wrote for Rhythm magazine, and created the Drum Gym practice app.
Mike began drumming at the age of ten and from 1982 to 1986 attended the University of Miami, where he received a degree in Studio Music and Jazz. From 1986 to 1987, he toured with Norwegian band Aha and played on ‘The Swing Of Things’, ‘I’ve Been Losing You’ and ‘Soft Rains Of April’ from the album ‘Scoundrel Days’. During that time he was asked by Phenomena co-producer Wilfried Rimensberger to join the superstar rock project, where he played drums on the now legendary “Dream Runner” album and got to know Scott Gorham and John Wetton who both participated in that recording.
He played for the band 21 Guns and later with Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith in Psycho Motel, where he played on both State of Mind (1996) and Welcome to the World (1997) albums. He was also the drummer for Wishbone Ash between 1995 and 1997 and drummer for Asia between 1994 and 2001.
He has performed live or recorded with such major pop, rock and jazz names as David Bowie, Elton John, Aha, Asia, Jack Bruce, Steve Winwood, Tom Jones, Wishbone Ash, Bob James, Randy Brecker and Bob Mintzer. He currently performs with jazz-funk group Redtenbacher’s Funkestra.
Mike was Head of Drums at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford for 13 years. He later served as Head of Education at DIME Online (www.dime-online.org)
