Bakithi Kumalo Archives
Bakithi Kumalo on Fretless Bass, ‘You Can Call Me Al,’ and His Unlikely Breakthrough
Bakithi Kumalo shares how a call from Paul Simon led him from a South African garage to recording one of pop music's most iconic fretless bass solos.
Bakithi Kumalo on Paul Simon’s Graceland, Fretless Bass, and Finding His Voice
Bakithi Kumalo shares the story behind his iconic fretless bass work on Paul Simon’s Graceland and how music changed the course of his life.
Paul Simon’s Quiet Celebration Tour Marks Reunion with Graceland Bassist Bakithi Kumalo
Graceland bassist Bakithi Kumalo returns to the stage with Paul Simon on the Quiet Celebration Tour—his first since the singer's 2018 farewell.
Paul Simon (with Bakithi Kumalo): The Only Living Boy In New York
Joe Osborn’s work on Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Only Living Boy In New York” is a masterpiece. Here’s Paul Simon performing the tune with the great Bakithi Kumalo, whose beautiful playing honors the original.
Bakithi Kumalo’s Graceland Experience: You Can Call Me Al
Today is our good friend Bakithi Kumalo’s birthday, and we’re celebrating with one of his all-time great bass lines. Here’s a live clip of “You Can Call Me Al.”
Breaking Down The Most Famous Bass Break In Popular Music: Bakithi Kumalo’s Work on “You Can Call Me Al”
In this episode of “From The Bottom,” Paul Thompson digs into the 1987 Album of the Year, Paul Simon’s “Graceland,” the amazing Bakithi Kumalo, and the hit song that introduced the rest of the world to Mbaqanga music: “You Can Call Me Al.”
Gerald Veasley’s Bass BootCamp Returns March 18-20
Gerald Veasley’s Bass Bootcamp is back for 2022, which will mark the camp’s 20th anniversary. The weekend-long getaway will once again include hands-on workshops, masterclasses, giveaways, and meet and greets with the camp’s faculty.
Berklee Bass Department 2021: A Retrospective
This has been a holiday tradition for many years, thanks to our friend Steve Bailey. Check out this year’s video by Steve and the Berklee Bass Department (with Victor Wooten and Bakithi Kumalo) with an impressive performance with some holiday cheer.
Bakithi Kumalo Releases New Solo Album, “What You Hear Is What You See”
Bass legend Bakithi Kumalo has released a new solo album called “What You Hear Is What You See”. The ten-song collection is inspired by his journey from South Africa to the U.S. some 35 years ago as well as characters he’s met during his travels.
Groove – Episode #82: Bakithi Kumalo
This month’s episode of Groove - the No Treble Podcast features a true legend. Enjoy the conversation with Bakithi Kumalo...
Bailey, Wooten, and Pattituci to Host “Fretless Bass Pioneers” Webinar
This week’s Berklee Bass Department webinar will feature heroes of the fretless bass. Guests will include Tony Franklin, Percy Jones, Gary Willis, Steve DiGiorgio, Alain Caron, Bakithi Kumalo, Michael Manring, and Mark Egan.
Berklee Bass Department: Holiday Mashup 2020
For many years now, we’ve had a great holiday tradition, thanks to Steve Bailey. Steve sent us this year’s Berklee Bass Department holiday video. This year’s Mashup features Steve along with Bakithi Kumalo, John Patitucci, and Victor Wooten.