Bakithi Kumalo – Overcoming Aprtheid to Conquer the World

Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Bakithi Kumalo is a Grammy Award-winning bassist, composer, and vocalist who has collaborated with Paul Simon, Laurie Anderson, Cyndi Lauper, Herbie Hancock, Hugh Masekela, Josh Groban, Bob James, Randy Brecker, Chaka Khan, and many others. Thought of by many as one of the most talented living bassists, Kumalo possesses a unique musical style reflecting influences from around the world, including South African traditional folk, contemporary jazz, salsa, and electronica.

The noted South African multi-instrumentalist first came to the attention of the American public in 1986, following the release of Paul Simon's epochal "Graceland" album, where his precise and sinuous bass lines thundered out a death-knell for apartheid and made critics around the world sit up and take notice.

Bakithi grew up in Johannesburg's notorious yet celebrated Soweto township. He began filling in for his uncle's bass player as a small child, embarking on an 18 month tour of Zululand at age 10. Upon his return to Soweto, the young prodigy began to accumulate studio gigs but record companies were exploitative and money was tight. Despite these obstacles, Bakithi had achieved a major rep by 1985, when Paul Simon came calling. It was decided that "Graceland" should be completed in New York and today, Bakithi lives in the USA and maintains a busy schedule. Aside from his ongoing relationship with Simon, he has recorded and/or toured with Gloria Estefan, Herbie Hancock, Ruben Rada, Harry Belefonte, Paul Winters, Miriam Makeba, Eileen Ivers, Grover Washington Jr., Vieux Diop, Laurie Anderson, Angelique Kidjo, Jon Secada, Hugh Masekela, Chaka Khan, Samite, Mickey Hart, and Brazil's Chico Caesar.

Bakithi finds it ironic that "world music", a term originally meant to convey an entire planet of musical possibilities, has become fraught with P.C. baggage and outwardly imposed limitations. This ardent apostle of inclusion loves to perform for live audiences and is delighted by the generous turnouts for his shows." I try to be different every time," he says, "I never play the same thing I played yesterday."


TRADITIONAL SHOW DESCRIPTION:

A native of Soweto Township outside Johannesburg, South Africa, Bakithi Kumalo's musical career has been characterized by a series of serendipitous events, ranging from his debut gig as a precocious seven-year-old filling in for the bassist in his uncle's band to his enlistment into Paul Simon's group during the recording sessions of the pop star's landmark 'Graceland' album in 1985.  Kumalo creates a singular electric fretless bass sound that teems with double stops that sound like human voices and the African grooves of his homeland and has garnered him a stellar reputation as an artist. In addition to touring with Paul Simon,  he's also recorded and/or toured with the likes of Hugh Masekela, Jonathan Butler, Gloria Estefan, Chaka Khan, Grover Washington Jr., Harry Belafonte, Gerald Albright, Miriam Makeba, Josh Groban and Chris Botti.  Kumalo has also been active as a solo artist, with two fine albums to his credit (1998's 'San' Bonan' and 2000's 'In Front of My Eyes'), as well as three children's albums recorded with his wife, vocalist Robbi K.  Bakithi Kumalo's  program is traditional South African music - rich with vocals, percussion, and tribal rhythms.


"When Simon headed to South Africa to enlist a local band for his monumental 1986 album Graceland, the bassist, Bakithi Kumalo, was working as an auto mechanic.  In one of the most fortuitous discoveries in bass history, Kumalo would flourish on the session, playing fretless with a singular verve, that forever solidified his place among the greats.  Kumalo's playing on Graceland is so badass."
—Jonathan Herera, Bass Player Magazine

" Growing up during the Apartheid years, Bakithi Kumalo saw nothing in his future but music. As a child,he learned mbaqanga (a rhythm characteristic of Soweto), mbube (a cappella vocal music) and jive (electric, urban pop) on bass, drums and acoustic guitar. Mr. Kumalo uses his music to tell of his coming of age in South Africa."
—Barbara Delatiner, The New York Times

"Kumalo’s style draws on a broader range of influences from Latin to ambient. This diversity is perhaps unsurprising for a man whose session career has encompassed both Harry Belafonte and Laurie Anderson and Kumalo’s musicality has a universal appeal. With an autobiographical theme to most of the pieces, this is an excellent showcase for Kumalo’s talents."
—Roger Thomas, Amazon.co.uk

Kumalo's roots are in a musical family of Soweto, and he was destined to be a musician long before Paul Simon's expedition to South Africa. After Graceland brought him to New York, Kumalo became one of the more in-demand session players for the growing number of American artists looking for an "African" sound. ....he wisely has tried to create a genuinely original sound for himself, one that fuses his South African roots with pan-African rhythms, R&B licks, Caribbean melodies, and jazz grooves. ....but it is his bass playing that informs the sound of the music ... He stretches the instrument to the limit ... Latin and jazz fans will find as much to listen to as "world music" fans.

Louis Gibson
-- Amazon.com

Kumalo's style draws on a broader range of influences from Latin to ambient. This diversity is perhaps unsurprising for a man whose session career has encompassed both Harry Belafonte and Laurie Anderson and Kumalo's musicality has a universal appeal. With an autobiographical theme to most of the pieces, this is an excellent showcase for Kumalo's talents. Anyone wishing to keep tabs on his other collaborative projects may care to check out the work he did with onetime Grateful Dead sticksman and ethnic percussion reasearcher/player par excellence Mickey Hart on the late Tupac Shakur's movie Gang Related.
--Roger Thomas -- Amazon.co.uk

Growing up during the Apartheid years, Bakithi Kumalo saw nothing in his future but music. As a child, he learned mbaqanga (a rhythm characteristic of Soweto), mbube (a cappella vocal music) and jive (electric, urban pop) on bass, drums and acoustic guitar. “Sometimes at schools, the children ask me how I got to America,” he said. In “Set It Free - A Musical Journey From Apartheid To Freedom” Mr. Kumalo will use song, music and his personal story to tell of his coming to of age in South Africa.
-- Barbara Delatiner -- New York Times

Kumalo came up through the township music scene. By the time Simon found him in Johannesburg, in 1984, Kumalo had paid his dues playing township soul, Zulu traditional pop, mbaqanga and other local styles. His work with the likes of Gloria Estefan, Randy Brecker, Laurie Anderson, and Cyndi Lauper .... have given him a taste of mainstream success... a real shot at the sort of crossover audience so many African artists crave.

Banning Eyre
--The Boston Phoenix

Bakithi Kumalo's fretless carries "Home" and "Hand on My Shoulder," the latter featuring background vocals by no less than Brian Wilson. Revealing his South African roots, Fig enlists the vocal and playing skills of Richard Bona and ex-Zawinul guitarist Amit Chaterjee for the soaring "3:4 Folk," while Bakithi returns for the horn-laden Capetown traditional "Jan/Feb/March."
-- Chris Jisi -- Bass Player Magazine (review - Anton Fig - Figments)

Bakithi Kumalo, was my bass player in Bembe Orisha. He played with Planet Drum and is a monster player from South Africa.
-- Mickey Hart - mickeyhart.net

... The album’s focal points include infectious vocal melodies (handled by Kumalo, his wife, Robbi and others), kaliedoscopic rhythms, and killer, percussion-driven grooves. It’s all held together by Kumalo’s articulate bass playing, which anchors the sometimes complex compositions and frequently pops with authority.

Jim Ferguson
-- Jazz Times Magazine

Loved it, you carry it all so well... So often times the bass is buried beneath the drums and what not. You bring it up where it needs to be. And when papa plays the ladies sway. Take it, Take it, Take it Awayyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-- Customer review  -- CDbaby .com

.. with the soothing and peaceful music performed by the Bakithi Kumalo Band jetting through the air, I found myself in musical bliss. Mothers were dancing with their babies, jubilant line-dancing and shimmying could be seen by the end of the night. The wailing of the saxophone inspired a unison of clapping and arms swaying through the air to “keep the beat”. Whichever way you relaxed, it was a North Fork event that all enjoyed.
--R.B Stuart -- Dan’s Papers

The afternoon will feature a live musical performance with Bakithi Kumalo and the South African All-Stars. Bakithi is a legendary Bass player who was featured on Paul Simon's Graceland album, among other projects. He will be accompanied by some fantastic, equally well-known South African musicians. We’re there.
-- newyork.urbanbaby.com

I think he is one of the more interesting world music artists right now….he is really doing a lot of work…he picked up on the rhythms of New York and his music has a sense of play - it’s got sounds from South Africa and the world.

Suzanne Kincheloe
-- Qradio

As a finale to three days of Global Peace Concerts, the Bakithi Kumalo Band performed at the University Cafe. Deep bass tones flooded the evening, as people poured into the venue. The sound of jazz and traditional South African folk kept the mood buoyant. The cafe percolated and people rose to dance.
-- Chris Williams -- The Press