Mike Walbridge was born in 1937 in Los Angeles, CA. He was exposed to classic jazz at an early age via his father's records. Upon graduation from school, Mike pursued jazz music as a profession and became a charter member of the Chicago Stompers. When the Stompers disbanded, Mike worked with Lil Hardin Armstrong's band for a long run at the historic Red Arrow jazz club in Stickney, IL.

Upon his discharge from military service, Mike joined the Original Salty Dogs jazz band and has been a mainstay to the present day.

In addition to working with the Dogs, Mike has worked with numerous bands, including George Brunis, Art Hodes, Eddy Davis, Turk Murphy, Bill Reinhardt, Ted Butterman, and Ernie Carson, as well as leading his own band, the Chicago Footwarmers.

Mike has recorded extensively with the Salty Dogs. In addition, he as appeared in recordings with such jazz giants as Albert Nicholas, Art Hodes, Floyd O'Brien, Clancy Hayes, Turk Murphy, Wally Rose, Bob Helm, Ernie Carson, and Hal Smith's Down Home Jazz Band.