Bakithi Kumalo

[jsbarber]

I went to see Paul Simon at The Rady in San Diego a month ago and was delighted that Bakithi Kumalo was his bassist for the tour. I was blown away by his playing on Graceland when it came out, (forty years ago!), as we all were. He is such a unique bassist. He doesn’t have the technical precision of Anthony Jackson but his bass lines and groove are amazing. I just looked up Graceland on Wikipedia and it provides commentary by Paul Simon saying:

He used tape echo and delay on every song, and paid particular attention to the bass, saying, "The bassline is what the album is all about. It's the essence of everything that happened."

I felt this way about the music, and was pleased to read that Paul Simon appreciated Bakithi’s contribution to this extent. Without Bakithi Graceland would not have been the album that it is. For the younger bassists out there, who may not be familiar with Paul Simon, you really should check out his catalog. So many great recordings over many years. But definitely check out Bakithi on Graceland. I feel very fortunate to have had an opportunity to see him perform live with Paul Simon.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

Bakhiti made me fall in love with Graceland. Graceland was a monumental work.

 

[Gopherbassist]

Here's a pretty long interview:

 

[FishDub]

What bass was he using? I think he has been a long time Washburn player?

 

[DJmtd]

Bakithi is such a monster. I have a cool story about him!

I used to work at the Guitar Asylum on Long Island in the early 2000s when I was in high school. At the time I thought I was a cool jazz guy. For a few months the bass teacher and I went to an open jam in Port Jeff hosted by Bakhiti every week. He was so incredibly generous with his time and experience. He would tell us tons of cool stories, encourage me to get on stage and let me use his gear just to try it out.

At the time Warwick amps were still kinda new, so getting to play his combos was cool, but the big one that stuck out was the Parker Fly 5 he had. That was a rad bass.

I continued on to become an obnoxious metal player, but those experiences set a really good foundation for my playing!

 

[Les Fret]

Besides Graceland what are some other recordings he played on with noticeable bass lines?

 

[LanEvo]

I've met Bakithi a few times and (believe it or not) even shared the stage with him once. Such a gentleman and a continued inspiration.

 

[Jared Houseman]

How was the concert? I might have a chance to catch it this week

 

[Number179]

Cornerstone album. Brilliant, beautiful, meaningful songs and songwriting; essential bass creativity and performance.

To me, similar importance as Hejira.

 

[J Wilson]

When I first heard tracks from GRACELAND, I thought ' who the hell IS that??? ' and I've been a big fan ever since. A complete original.

 

[pbass62]

Such Brilliance +ATrue Gentleman

 

[jsbarber]

What bass was he using? I think he has been a long time Washburn player?

He was playing a purple, fretted, 5-string. I wasn’t close enough to identify the brand, but the headstock appeared consistent with Fender.

 

[jsbarber]

How was the concert? I might have a chance to catch it this week

You should go. I’m doubtful there will be another tour, as Paul is about 84 years old and “retired” from touring in 2018 due to hearing issues, and this is his first tour since. The first set is his 7 psalms composition that lasts about 35 minutes. Bakithi does not play during this set. He opened the second set with Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes. The Graceland stuff is terrific, as are the other hits that he plays that I really enjoyed. In addition there are some other songs thrown in that didn’t resonate with me as much. Paul has some other players in the ensemble that are excellent. Bakithi with Paul, it’s highly unlikely you’ll get another chance…

 

[Nebadon2000]

I remember my friend and Band leader said "I am thinking of doing a couple songs from Graceland"

I immediately started sweating

 

[Bonecat]

I had the opportunity to meet and chat with him at a concert he played in years ago in Ann Arbor with Eileen Iver’s band. He was charming and funny and even gave me a set of autographed strings. Amazing man and a brilliant player…

 

[CoughSyrup]

Nobody has the technical precision of Anthony Jackson, so that's not a fair comparison.

 

[BASSDROID]

IIRC, he played a late seventies or early eighties Washburn fretless on the Graceland stuff. I heard somewhere that the bass used in the studio was a B20 which is kind of a Explorer/Thunderbird hybrid. Live he used a different Washburn.I think a B40. There is some concert footage out there on the youtubes...

 

[Heiwa]

I love Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints, can’t get enough of those two albums..

 

[Heiwa]

Besides Graceland what are some other recordings he played on with noticeable bass lines?

Tracks 3,4,7 and 9 on The Rhythm of the Saints.

 

[kesslari]

Graceland came out and rethreaded my musical brain. While I didn't start playing fretless until 20 years later (partly due to a long break from bass), Bakhiti's playing opened a whole new world for me.