Bakithi Kumalo
Bakithi Kumalo | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 May 1956 Alexandra, Gauteng,South Africa[1] |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Bass guitar |
Bakithi Kumalo(/bɑːˈɡiːˈtiːkuːˈmɑːloʊ/;born 10 May 1956[1]) is a South African bassist, composer, and vocalist.[2]Kumalo is best known for hisfretless bassplaying onPaul Simon's 1986 albumGraceland,in particular the bass run on "You Can Call Me Al".[3]
Biography and career
[edit]Bakithi Kumalo was born in theJohannesburgtownship ofSoweto,[4]surrounded by relatives who loved music and actively performed. He got his first job at the age of seven filling in for his uncle's bass player.[2][5]Kumalo worked as asession musicianin South Africa during the 1970s and early 1980s, eventually becoming a top session bassist and accompanying international performers during their South African tours.[6]
In 1985, Kumalo was introduced toPaul Simonby producer Hendrick Lebone during the sessions for Simon'sGracelandalbum. Kumalo traveled with Simon to New York City to finish the sessions, and after the accompanyingconcert tour,"spent several years commuting between Soweto and New York City" before permanently settling in the United States.[6]Kumalo has toured regularly with Simon since then. He has also released several solo records, and continued to perform as a session musician with artists such asJoan Baez,Cyndi Lauper,Herbie Hancock,Tedeschi Trucks Band,Randy Brecker,Grover Washington Jr.,andMickey Hart.[2]
Playing style
[edit]Kumalo's playing combines elements of AmericanMotownandjazzstyles with traditional South African music.[2][7]His lines "typically featureinvertedbrokenarpeggios,quickpentatoniclines, andcounter melodies,"using techniques such asslap bass,dead notes,"octave'hiccups,' anticipateddownbeats,triplets,anddouble stops."[2]He citesJaco Pastorius,Alphonso Johnson,andJames Jamersonas important early influences.[7]
He purchased his firstfretlessbass, aWashburnB-40 model, because "it was the cheapest bass in the store... nobody wanted to play it."[1]Paul Simon has described Kumalo's sound on this instrument as "enormous... almost like a horn, but so primal."[6][1]As of 2014, he also plays a signature model Kala U-Bass.[2]
Discography
[edit]- Graceland(1986)
- Paradise in Gazankulu(1988)
- Step on the Bass Line(1988)
- A Night To Remember(1989)
- Sanibonani(1998)
- Supralingua–Mickey Hart and Planet Drum(1998)
- In Front of My Eyes(2000)[8]
- You're the One(2000)
- This Is Me(2005)[8]
- Transmigration(2006)[8]
- Change(2009)
- Something Good(2010)
- Stranger to Stranger(2016)[9]
- Kama Sutra Rodeo(2016)
- What You Hear is What You See(2021)
References
[edit]- ^abcdJisi, Chris.Brave New Bass.San Francisco, CA: Backbeat Books. pp. 186–189.ISBN0-87930-763-3.Retrieved8 August2017.
- ^abcdefMadora, Ryan (6 June 2014)."Bass Players to Know: Bakithi Kumalo".No Treble.No Treble, LLC.Retrieved19 May2016.
- ^Mojapelo, Max (18 March 2009).Beyond Memory: Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music.African Minds. p. 73.ISBN978-1-920299-28-6.Retrieved1 July2010.
- ^"Interview with Paul Simon bassist Bakithi Kumalo".12 December 2012.
- ^"Bakithi Kumalo – About".Bakithi Kumalo.BaliDali Productions, Inc. Archived fromthe originalon 26 July 2020.Retrieved19 May2016.
- ^abcJisi, Chris, ed. (2008).Bass Player Presents the Fretless Bass.Milwaukee, WI: Backbeat Hooks. pp. 28–30.ISBN978-0-87930-925-1.Retrieved8 August2017.
- ^ab"Interview with Paul Simon bassist Bakithi Kumalo".For Bass Players Only.Notehead Media Group, LLC. 12 December 2012.Retrieved8 August2017.
- ^abc"Bakithi Kumalo – Album Discography".AllMusic.All Media Network, LLC.Retrieved19 May2016.
- ^"Stranger to Stranger".concordmusicgroup.
