About R & H
For the past 20 years, Rum & Humble has played a key role in presenting many of the world’s most celebrated performing artists to a multitude of audiences in one of the most competitive live music markets in the U.S. The firm’s imprint can be found on countless concerts and festivals spanning the entire musical spectrum.
Rum & Humble company principal Martin Fleischmann has developed a “core aesthetic” based on presenting the highest quality talent in settings that encourage an alchemical experience between artist and audience. The fabled Hollywood Bowl represents the pinnacle of that quality concert experience. With concert promoters Bill Silva and Andrew Hewitt, Rum & Humble has co-promoted a stellar array of superstar acts at the natural outdoor amphitheater over the years. They include The Police, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Luciano Pavarotti, Tom Petty, Radiohead and many others.
The company also has become identified with concerts by respected international artists, such as the French rocker Manu Chao, Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour, British DJ Paul Oakenfold, Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, Israeli star Idan Raichel and Mexico’s Rodrigo y Gabriela. From 1993-2001, Rum & Humble oversaw a partnership at the Bowl with Latin music impresario Ralph Mercado that presented artists like Celia Cruz, Marc Anthony, Ruben Blades and Tito Puente at the annual Hollywood Salsa & Latin Jazz Festival.
In 1998, Fleischmann became a founder of the Conga Room, L.A.’s premiere Latin nightclub, and booked talent there for its first four years. Rum & Humble was among the pioneer promoters in the field of Latin alternative music, presenting concerts by (among others) Colombia’s Juanes, Venezuela’s Aterciopelados, Mexico’s Julieta Venegas and Maldita Vecindad, Spain’s Enrique Bunbury and Argentina’s Fabulosos Cadillacs at various venues throughout the region. It was also directly responsible for an early wave of acts performing in the U.S. directly from Cuba, such as the Buena Vista Social Club and Los Van Van and most recently–in partnership with Jackson Browne– the singer/songwriter Carlos Varela.
In the last decade, Rum & Humble has expanded its production schedule with events across the U.S. in cities such as Miami, Washington D.C., New York City, Las Vegas and San Diego. At the same time, it has brought its high standards of organization and quality production values to ongoing major projects in Southern California such as the Long Beach Blues Festival (2008-present), the KJAZZ Wine & Jazz series at Hollywood & Highland (2007-present) and the Santa Monica Pier’s popular free summer concert series, for which the company recently signed on again to produce the eclectic line-up for next year (2012). In addition, the company continues to serve a distinguished roster of corporate clients and non-profit organizations.
Next year, Rum & Humble will break new ground with its WIRE:t/a/p program, exploring the creative methods and motivations of some of the world’s most brilliant artistic minds. Through numerous concerts, lectures and installations, the trailblazing series will delve into the blurred boundaries of contemporary classical and high-brow popular music.