With roots reaching back to his birthplace in Johannesburg, South Africa, Bakithi Kumalo’s bass chops are eclectic. Paul Simon – who has toured with the bassist since they first met during sessions for 1986’s Graceland – has described Kumalo’s playing as “enormous… almost like a horn, but also primal”.
One listen to the classic bass run on You Can Call Me Al, along with the rest of his Graceland work, confirms as much. His South African influences are scattered throughout his playing.
