Band Biography

Formed in June 2015 by Johnny Bacolas and George Stevens, The Rumba Kings (see Wikipedia Article here) is a Seattle-based band that defies genre boundaries. Influenced by diverse musical styles ranging from Spanish-guitar influenced style of The Gipsy Kings to the Mediterranean-inspired instrumental melodies of Yanni, their music takes listeners on a journey through the Mediterranean. While their name may suggest a focus on rumba, the name is misleading.  The Rumba Kings' repertoire encompasses a myriad of music influences, creating a rich and dynamic sound, combined with the most powerful live show on the world stage.

The band's journey began when Bacolas and Stevens met in May 2015 and discovered a shared musical vision. They quickly assembled a team of talented studio musicians to start working on their debut double-disc album, "The Instrumental and Vocal Sessions, Vol I," which featured collaborations with international artists.

By January 2016, The Rumba Kings had built a live set-list and auditioned local musicians to form their first live band. They honed their performance through intimate gigs at small clubs in Seattle, steadily gaining a devoted following.  As word spread about their passionate and energetic shows, the band graduated to larger venues, including the renowned Triple Door and various theaters.

In February 2018, The Rumba Kings released their debut album, which garnered significant attention and support from Seattle radio station KNKX. The record's success led to in-studio performances at KNKX and a headlining slot at the Bellevue Jazz and Blues Festival in June 2018. The band followed up with their sophomore album, "The Instrumental Sessions, Vol. II," in 2019, which received further acclaim from KNKX and local newspapers (see the Bluesletter Article on The Rumba Kings - March 2023).  The band also had three separate appearances in on three programs in 2023 on King 5 Seattle Television (Evening, New Day NW, and Band in Seattle) 

Making the most of the pandemic-induced downtime in March 2020, The Rumba Kings embarked on enhancing their live show. They integrated a string quartet, composed new music, added dance segments, and expanded their lineup. With meticulous planning and collaboration with renowned composer and transcriptionist Seth-May Patterson, they achieved a production that resembled a glamorous Vegas spectacle, elevating their live performances to new heights.  "Put bluntly, our goal is to produce the most beautiful musical experience on Earth," says co-founder Johnny Bacolas. 

In 2022, The Rumba Kings released their single "Love from Mykonos," accompanied by a captivating music video filmed on location on two majestic Greek Islands (Mykonos and Santorini). KNKX 88.5 FM Seattle has been a staunch supporter of the band, regularly featuring their music on the station and presenting all of their local shows.

The Rumba Kings continue to captivate audiences with their diverse and romantic blend of Pop, Latin, and Mediterranean music, creating a truly unforgettable experience for listeners and concertgoers.

More Published Articles on the band's Press Page

The Rumba Kings on ​Allmusic Guide

The Rumba Kings' Wikipedia Page

The Rumba Kings KING 5 Seattle TV feature story on Evening

 The Rumba Kings' music is available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Amazon.