Mike Outram was born in Manchester and first became involved with music at age 5 playing the violin. At 14 he started playing the guitar and initially took lessons from classical guitarist Martin Roberts and guitarist Pete Bocking. After school he studied at Leigh College Music Centre with Steve Willingham, Steve Berry, Gary Boyle and Mike Walker. He also gained experience playing with many groups on the Manchester music scene.

He moved to London in 1998 and has worked with Herbie Mann, Carleen Anderson, Dave O'Higgins, Cinematic Orchestra, Martin Speake, M.J. Cole, Nikki Iles, Jacqui Dankworth, Stan Sulzmann, Photek, Asaf Sirkis, Harvey Brough, Tim Whitehead, John Halliwell, Gwyneth Herbert and has played with guitarists Martin Taylor, Jim Mullen and John Etheridge. He has toured internationally, recorded over 50 cds for Universal, Sony, Candid records and others and won the 'Best Group in Europe' award with Grooveyard in Spain

Mike is also Guitar Professor at Trinity College of Music, The Royal Academy of Music and Thames Valley University. He has also taught for the Glamorgan and Burnley summer schools and has given numerous workshops and clinics internationally.

Recently activities include; a European tour with soul-funk legend Carleen Anderson, performances with Rolling Stones saxophonist Tim Ries, recording with Theo Travis and Robert Fripp and playing at the Sao Paulo Film Festival, Brazil, for composer Laura Rossi.