R.U.M. is a ‘rhythmic underground movement’ consisting of heavyweight session musicians who have mostly flown under the radar.
Hailing from all corners of the globe including Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Grenada, Dominica, Greece, Australia and the UK they have played for a who's-who of world class artists including Johnny Nash, Jimmy Ruffin, Bob Marley, Rita Marley, Gregory Isaac, Eric Clapton, Pete Townsend, Jimmy Page, Chaka Khan, Bee Gees, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood, Bony M, Lionel Richie, Beyoncé, Ali Campbell of UB40, Omar, Incognito, John Legend and Joss Stone.
Core members feature iconic drummer Richard Bailey who at 16 years of age played with Johnny Nash and a young Bob Marley and later recorded Jeff Beck's landmark album Blow by Blow. Bassist Michael Bailey has performed and recorded with Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and Mick Taylor of The Stones. Felix ‘Lix’ Ruiz provided keyboards for the likes of Rita Marley, Gregory Isaac and Damon Albarn and soul, Latin, funk vocalist Ama Lia who kickstarted her career with a royal invitation to perform for HRH Prince William. The group is a collective that expands to an 11 piece strong outfit with rotating musicians on any given show.
Their adeptness lies in live performance, in particular the London music scene, where a faithful following has evolved and their synergistic sound honed. Effortless is their delivery of musical styles from blues, rock, soul, funk, reggae, ska, Latin, jazz and calypso with main songwriters Michael Bailey and Ama Lia weaving sincere storytelling within irresistable rhythms. The energy from charismatic front woman Ama Lia leads listeners to a place of joy and inclusion, lifting the entire room.
