R.u.m. [Soul/Funk/Latin]

About this event

“What a fantastic sound!” –  Robert Elms – BBC Radio London

Mavericks of deep grooves, electrified funk, soulful rock and roll and latin bounce’ R.U.M are a London based act with musicians hailing from Trinidad,, Jamaica, Greece, Dominica, Australia and the UK, individually racking up plays for artists as Johnny Nash, Jimmy Ruffin, Bob Marley, Gregory Isaac, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Mick Taylor, Chaka Khan, Bee Gees, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood and Joss Stone.

Born of a Sunday jam night in Kilburn London, this group organically solidified a sound crossing genres and creating a diverse audio soundscape steeped in irresistible rhythms. Grooves are infused with blues, rock, r&b, soul, funk, reggae, ska, Latin and jazz, fiercely fronted by collaborative songwriting duo Michael Bailey (bass) and Ama Lia (vocals).

Live shows deliver a fresh off the press’ setlist with both released and unreleased original material, alongside hand selected covers paying homage to influential artists as Roberta Flack, Gladys Knight, Parliament P Funk, Tania Maria, Aretha Franklin, Barbara Acklin and Neville brothers. As well as spotlighting contemporary sounds the likes of Ezra Collective and Cee Lo Green.

Core members feature drummer Richard Bailey (Johnny Nash, Bob Marley, Jeff Beck) bassist Michael Bailey (Jimmy Page, Mick Taylor), Felix Ruiz (Rita Marley, Gregory Isaac, Damon Albarn) , Tony Maronie on percussion (Brian Eno, The Jacksons, George Martin, Guy Chambers), Maurice Brown on guitar, Paul Silver on saxophone/flute and funk front woman Ama Lia on vocals (Lionel Richie, Beyonce, John Legend)

Sold out shows throughout 2024-2025 have been seen at Pizza Express Pheasantry, 606 Club, and Verdict Jazz showcasing their debut EP release ‘What is What’, followed up by radio plays on Jazz FM, Mi-Soul and LMR London Music Radio, as well as featured interviews on BBC Sounds for Kim Davis and BBC Radio London for Robert Elms.

A live recording of their most recent Pizza Express show featuring new material is due out on vinyl early 2026 and a full debut album to follow.

“Phenomenal group of musicians” –  Kim Davis – BBC Sounds

Line up:
T.B.C.

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