In the early part of his career, Drake Mabry pursued a traditional classical music career performing as first oboe with symphony orchestras in three countries. He then switched to tenor saxophone, flute, and clarinet, playing primarily in jazz big bands and small ensembles. From 1976 he continued his educational studies with Master and Doctoral degrees in music composition. His alma maters include the Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, Rice University, and the University of California, San Diego. The principal teachers with whom he worked include Harold Gomberg, Alfred Genovese, Paul Cooper, John Cage, and Krzysztof Penderecki.

While he was teaching at Dartmouth College in 1984, a chance encounter in the music department hallway resulted in Mabry's traveling to France for a year to explore the musical worlds of Paris. After a short return to the U.S., he moved permanently to France in 1988, and today he lives and works in Nice, France. 

Two unexpected events in the 21st century presented him with his current focus of activities. In 2003 he began developing a music in which silence is equally important with sound. The result is over 60 "Silent Duration" works, from solo instruments to full orchestra. Over 25 have been performed or recorded.Then in 2011 he went to visit Istanbul, where he stayed several years and studied the Turkish ney and ebru painting. Although these Turkish studies of music and art were rooted in the historical style of each, he also explored and developed new concepts and techniques, combining them with the tradition.

The outcome of all of these life experiences is a constant interest in perpetual development, curiosity, and collaboration between who he is as a person and how this is expressed through his art forms. In addition to music and art, Mr. Mabry is also a published poet and photographer.