Bakithi Kumalo

Bakithi Kumalo, born on May 10, 1956, is a renowned bassist, composer, and vocalist hailing from South Africa. He gained widespread recognition for his unique fretless bass techniques featured on Paul Simon's iconic 1986 album, *Graceland*, particularly noted for the memorable bass line in "You Can Call Me Al."

Raised in the vibrant township of Soweto, Kumalo was immersed in music from an early age, stepping onto the stage at just seven years old to substitute for his uncle’s bass player. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, he had established himself as a prominent session musician in South Africa, collaborating with various international artists visiting the country.

In 1985, his career took a pivotal turn when he met Paul Simon through producer Hendrick Lebone during the *Graceland* recording sessions. Kumalo traveled to New York City to complete the album and subsequently joined Simon on a concert tour, which led him to split his time between Soweto and New York for several years before settling in the U.S. permanently. Since then, he has frequently toured with Simon and released several solo albums. His versatile talent as a session musician has also seen him perform alongside notable artists such as Joan Baez, Cyndi Lauper, Herbie Hancock, and the Tedeschi Trucks Band, solidifying his reputation within the music industry.