Bakithi Kumalo

Quick Facts

Full Name	Bakithi Kumalo
Occupation	Bass-Guitarist
Date Of Birth	May 10, 1956(1956-05-10)
Age	68
Birthplace	Alexandra
Country	South Africa
Horoscope	Taurus

Bakithi Kumalo Biography

Bakithi Kumalo is one of the most popular and richest Bass-Guitarist who was born on May 10, 1956 in Alexandra, South Africa. Bakithi Kumalo (/b ɑː ˈ ɡ iː ˈ t iː k uː ˈ m ɑː l oʊ / ; born 10 May 1956) is a South African bassist, composer, and vocalist. Kumalo is most known for his fretless bass playing on Paul Simon’s 1986 album Graceland, in particular the bass run on “You Can Call Me Al”.

He purchased his first fretless bass, a Washburn B-40 model, because “it was the cheapest bass in the store . . . nobody wanted to play it.” Paul Simon has described Kumalo’s sound on this instrument as “enormous . . . almost like a horn, but so primal.” As of 2014, he also plays a signature model Kala U-Bass.

Bakithi Kumalo Net Worth

Bakithi Kumalo is one of the richest Bass-Guitarist from South Africa. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Bakithi Kumalo 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

Bakithi Kumalo was born in the Soweto township of Johannesburg, 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. Kumalo worked as a session musician in South Africa during the 1970s and early 1980s, eventually becoming a top session bassist and accompanying international performers during their South African tours.

In 1985, Kumalo was introduced to Paul Simon by producer Hendrick Lebone during the sessions for Simon’s Graceland album. Kumalo traveled with Simon to New York to finish the sessions, and after the accompanying concert tour, “spent several years commuting between Soweto and New York City” before permanently settling in the United States. 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 as Joan Baez, Cyndi Lauper, Herbie Hancock, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Randy Brecker, Grover Washington Jr., and Mickey Hart.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Bakithi Kumalo height Not available right now. Olena weight Not Known & body measurements will update soon.

Who is Bakithi Kumalo Dating?

According to our records, Bakithi Kumalo married to Robbi K. As of December 1, 2023, Bakithi Kumalo’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record : We have no records of past relationships for Bakithi Kumalo. You may help us to build the dating records for Bakithi Kumalo!

Facts & Trivia

Olena Ranked on the list of most popular Bass-Guitarist. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in South Africa. Bakithi Kumalo celebrates birthday on May 10 of every year.

Who played bass guitar on Graceland?

Bakithi Kumalo and the Graceland Experience In the summer of 2016, Bakithi Kumalo – the original bass player on the Graceland Album – was scheduled to perform his original music at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. From that booking the concept of a “Graceland 30th Anniversary Tribute” was born.

Who played bass on You Can Call Me Al?

Bakithi Kumalo is a South African musician, best known for his longstanding position as bass player with Paul Simon. Most notably, Bakithi’s fretless slap bass interlude on Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al,” is perhaps the most famous bass solo in modern music history.

Who is the best bass guitarist in Africa?

Probably the best known bassist from Africa in history, Richard Bona is considered by some to be the best living bass player on planet Earth. Certainly, he is one of the instrument’s true virtuosos, and has become a fixture as a performer in the jazz and fusion worlds.

Who plays bass on Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes?

Our Facebook friend Leon Wilson shared this alternate track with us, featuring the isolated bass work of Bakithi Kumalo on Paul Simon’s hit, “Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes”. Yep, this is all that’s needed. Bakithi holds down so much at once, yet without sounding like he’s doing too much.

Why is Chevy Chase in Call Me Al?

Background. The names in the song came from an incident at a party that Simon went to with his then-wife Peggy Harper. French composer and conductor Pierre Boulez, who was attending the same party, mistakenly referred to Paul as “Al” and to Peggy as “Betty”, inspiring Simon to write a song.