Ken Lake is a professional trumpet player, playing all kinds of music throughout Northwest Arkansas and beyond. He played for twelve years with the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and ten years with the Music Festival of Arkansas Orchestra. He plays Jazz, Blues, Funk, and Folk music as well. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Arkansas. He also studied music at the University of Michigan (where he received a degree in Physics), at Harvard College, the University of North Carolina, and with numerous private teachers.

Ken has had a varied career, working first as an astrophysicist at the Harvard Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, then spending two years in South America studying archaeology and ethnomusicology before settling in Arkansas to farm for twenty years. He spent ten years as a nationally prominent environmental forester and was eventually employed by the U.S. Forest Service. In his spare time he has built and restored several houses. Ken now spends most of each day working in his music studio at his home on Beaver Lake.

His musical talents have taken him well beyond orchestral performance. Currently he plays in three brass quintets, two big bands, the Arkansas Winds, numerous combos and church orchestras. He also enjoys playing trumpet and organ music for churches and weddings. Ken and his wife, Laurie, have three grown children and a new son-in-law and grandson. They travel often to visit them in Austin, Chicago and San Francisco.