MICHAEL BAILEY
Michael Bailey has played for just about everyone carving a stellar 35 year reputation performing, recording and touring the world with the ABSOLUTE best in the music business.
Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones), Chaka Khan, Bee Gees, Jimmy Ruffin, Lamont Dozier, Jimmy James, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd, Clem Curtis, Eric Burdon, Osibisa, Billy Ocean, Omar, Joss Stone just to name a few!
Exclusive Interview
Q: You have been playing since you were very young, could you tell us your story and why you picked up the bass?
A: Yes I was introduced to music attending church Sunday school as a child. I actually started with tambourine and singing from about 4 or 5 years of age, then at around 10 years old, a cousin of mine asked me to play bass. I couldn’t at the time but said yes anyway. So he showed me the positions on the bass to play and strum and within 5 minutes I was playing bass. Not very good but I was playing!
Q: Did schooling or any teachers have a lasting impact on you?
A: When I attended secondary school, in my very first year I met a music teacher called Eric Angus. He had just come out of studying jazz at Leeds University, so was such a big influence on me musically. His secret however was that he also played football and sports in general so we had a common ground on both subjects. He was strict though so taught me a big piece of discipline in what and how I was l learning. And having someone like him onside meant I could always go to the music room in play time and lunch time which was a cool thing.
Q: Who would you say are your main inspirations? What advice have you been given throughout your career?
A: I’m very fortunate to have grown up with a lot of different music around me. My granddad was a pastor and attending his church we listened to country, rock & roll, and Negro spirituals, which are better known as gospel music. Artists such as Mahalia Jackson, Charlie Pride, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin and many others that I can’t quite recall now, we listened to on an 8 track device, similar to a cassette for those that know what that is! I also listened mostly to the radio growing up, certain times of the day they played really good music and as a kid I’d always listen out for it. I would notice pop songs played and then hear reggae versions of them and love them even more. My mum also used to listen to a lot of soul and reggae music and Caribbean flavours, like Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, James Brown, Big Youth and Dillinger. So yea, they are my roots.
As for advice – love what you do and in order to be a better musician listen to other musicians, what they are saying, how they’re playing and how it can benefit you as a musician. Also try to embrace other instruments, so you have an understanding of what they’re doing and playing.
Q: Through your extraordinary career, you’ve been (very humbly) playing with a myriad of different artists and bands and most likely placed your feet in many countries of the world. In over 30 years of playing, what would you say are the highlights of your career? Any memories with an artist, which stands out?
A: They all stand out really but my early days are the best as I remember leaving England to go on my first ever trip abroad to Syria, as an 18 year old playing steel pan for a band called Solid Steel. It was great trip that was a big eye opener, meeting different people, learning a different language and culture, the camaraderie between the players, and actually getting interested in Arabic music. It was also great because my day times were free to practice with instruments that I wouldn’t normally have freely around me.
A memory that stands out is my first gig with Mick Taylor in Germany, I was depping (substituting) on bass, alongside Richard Bailey on drums and being a professional, I came very well dressed only to discover when I landed that my luggage was still in England! Lucky for me I was already well dressed for two days!
Q: I am sure that you can recall some funny memories and weird moments; can you share a few with us?
A:I did extensive touring with Mick Taylor so I tend to remember a lot with him, in particular one time playing in Palermo, Italy. Up until then all those gigs were club gigs or auditoriums but this one was at a football stadium supporting Zucherro. When we did the sound check I didn’t think anything of it until we returned for the gig where there was a sea of people for us! I’d never seen an audience like that! And all Italian!
Q: You play all genres, and as such a versatile player you are always in demand! Which particular style do you enjoy playing the most?
A: I think my preferred is Caribbean stuff, like early reggae, which was soulful. Also Calypso and Latin. My folks are from Jamaica and the community I was in was West Indian so these are the sounds and influences I grew up around. It’s home, the roots.
Q: On the other hand, playing with so many genres could be challenging when it comes to finding your own sound. What was your personal journey as a musician to find your own style?
A: The bass in reggae music helped me to develop my sound, to achieve a big sound. Just like in Latin music it is big, fluid and melodic. It makes you want to dance and that’s what I want to achieve, to move people. Just like people in church clapping their hands. Other elements of my sound came through listening to jazz and some popular music.
Q: Tell us about your original projects?
A: I’ve mainly been a live player, but have been fortunate to be involved with several projects, artists and bands. Including recording with Osibisa and recording and rehearsing with Jimmy Page. The Stones Throw album with Mick Taylor as well as albums for Linda Lewis, Liz Mitchel (Bony M), Imaani, Kevin Leo, James Lascelles and the Shanti Om album with Richard Bailey.
Q: You play with the finest musicians in the industry, are there any musicians you would like to collaborate with?
A: There a many actually. From a guitarist point of view Ernest Ranglin and Eric Gale, Joe Sample for keyboards, Bernard Purdie for drums, alongside Earth, Wind & Fire’s horn section. Now that would be an interesting band!
Q: You are very passionate about mentoring aspiring musicians, what would you like to see from a bass player on a gig and what advice would you give?
A: I like to hear good groove and keeping the band rolling. As I said before, listening to the band is where your intelligence will come from. Good timing is also very important.
Q: Every time we spot you on stage, you have a different bass! Tell us all about your gear!
How many basses do you have (you can tell us the one in storage we won’t tell your wife!:) What is your favourite set up?
A: My favourite set up is a Marcus Miller 5 string Fender. Alongside a SWR amp head SM400. At the moment I’m using Bare Faced speakers that are super powerful and really nice. I am also sponsored by Moon Guitars, great basses, funky with a rocky sound and quite different to the Marcus Miller 5 string. But if I want that old time sound I’d have to go back to my Fender Precision and Fender Jazz for both Reggae and Motown sounds.
How many basses…hmm 9 or 10 basses. And they all sound different. That’s my excuse!
Q: Can we have a sneak peak on your upcoming projects?
A: As I’ve been a bit ill I haven’t been up to much but I’d like to do an album with friends, half instrumental, half singing, alongside other bass players. Everyone British based because many of the musicians I play with here are understated so I’d like to showcase that.
Q: I understand the Rumband means a lot to you. Where would you like to take it?
A: I’d love the Rumband to be a session band that artists can call upon when they come to this country. Also do some recording projects. The great thing about the Rumband is that everyone in the band should really each have their own album - they are all that good!
Q: Is giving back to the community important to you?
A: I think it’s most important. Helping people of any age with what I can help them with musically. That is why I created a weekly gig at the Tabernacle in Ladbroke Grove which particularly specialises in community based musical projects such as drumming, steel band, dance and is also set up with studios for recording projects. Our gig is a free entry show every Tuesday night that is more instrument led. It reminds me of being a youngster playing instrumentals such as calypso, reggae, funk and Latin. It’s a great night with a growing community and the band is really, really good. To me it’s an extension of the Rumband.