|
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."
Bakithi Kumalo Solo Works:
Change (2009 – Bass, Vocals, Writer, Producer)
Transmigration (2007 – Bass, Vocals, Co-Producer)
This Is Me (2005 – Bass, Vocals, Writer, Producer)
In Front Of My Eyes (2000 – Synthesizer, Bass, Percussion, Vocals, Producer, Liner Notes)
San Bonan (1998 – Synthesizer, Bass, Percussion, Vocals, Producer, Liner Notes)
Bakithi Kumalo has contributed and performed on the following works:
Josh Groban; Awake (2007 – Bass, Vocals)
Paul Simon; Graceland (1986 – Bass)
Paul Simon; Negotiations and Love Songs 1971…(1988 – Bass)
Paul Simon; Rhythm of the Saints (1990 – Bass)
Paul Simon; 1964-1993 (1993 – Bass)
Paul Simon; Songs From The Capeman (1997 – Bass)
Paul Simon; Greatest Hits: Shining Like a…(2000 – Bass)
Paul Simon; You’re The One (2000 – Bass)
Cyndi Lauper; Hat Full Of Stars (1992 – Bass)
Cyndi Lauper; She’s So Unusual/True Colors/Hat…. (1997 – Bass)
Cyndi Lauper; Night To Remember (1989 – Bass)
Edie Brickell; Picture Perfect Morning (1994 – Bass)
Edie Brickell; Ultimate Collection (2002 – Bass)
Herbie Hancock; Gershwin’s World (1998 – Bass)
Herbie Hancock; Gershwin’s World [Japan] (1998 – Bass, Guitar)
Gloria Estefan; Destiny (1996 – Bass)
Gloria Estefan; Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (2001 – Bass)
Hugh Masekela; Uptownship (1988 – Bass)
Hugh Masekela; Beatin’ Aroun De Bush (1992 – Bass, Background Vocals)
Hugh Masekela; Hope (1993 – Bass, Vocals)
Hugh Masekela; Best of Hugh Masekela on Novus (1999 – Bass, Background Vocals)
Robbi Kumalo; Set It Free (2000 – Synthesizer, Bass, Percussion, Vocals, Co-Producer)
Robbi Kumalo; Keep The Beat! (2003 – Synthesizer, Bass, Percussion, Vocals, Co-Producer)
Robbi Kumalo; Music Makes Me Happy (2007 – Synthesizer, Bass, Guitar, Drums, Co-Producer)
Miriam Makeba; Eyes on Tomorrow (1991 – Bass)
Ratau Mike Makhalemele; Very Best of Ratau Mike… (2003 – Bass)
Felicia Marion; Compassion (1999 – Bass)
Pat McGuire; Love Songs for Astronauts (2000 – Bass)
McCoy Mrubata; Jive Jazz Collection, Vol. 2:… (1989 – Bass)
Danny Paradise; River of the Soul (2000 – Fretless Bass)
Barney Rachabane; Jive Jazz Collection, Vol. 1:… (1989 – Bass)
Ruben Rada; Montevideo (1997 – Bass)
Laurie Anderson; Strange Angels (1989 – Bass, Fretless Bass)
Laurie Anderson; Talk Normal: The Laurie Anderson…(2000 – Fretless Bass)
Joan Baez; No Woman No Cry (1989 – Bass)
Jay Beckenstein; Eye Contact (2000 – Chant)
Tony Bird; Sorry Africa (1990 – Bass)
Chris Botti; Midnight Without You (1997 – Bass)
Chris Botti; Very Best of Chris Botti (2002 – Bass)
Randy Brecker; Into The Sun (1995 – Bass, Fretless Bass)
Hiram Bullock; Carrasco (1997 – Bass)
John Capek & The Family of; Indaba (1991 – Bass)
Chico Cesar; Chico Cesar (2000 – Bass)
Eileen Ivers; Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul (2003 – Bass, Arranger, Background Vocals)
Sharon Katz & The Peace Train; Imbizo (2002 – Bass)
Angelique Kidjo; Oremi (1998 – Bass)
Armsted Christian; Wave Is Coming (1999 – Bass)
Bam Crawford’s Purpose; Book of Life (2000 – Guitar)
Vieux Diop; Afrika Wassa (2000 – Bass)
Mike Faure; Voice of the Wind (1995 – Bass)
Freddy Gardner; Japanese Sandman (2000 – Bass)
Micky Hart & Planet Drum; Supralingua (1998 – Electric Bass, Drums, Vocals, Steel Drums, Shekere, Wood Block)
Mickey Hart; Best of Mickey Hart: Over The Edge (2002 – Electric Bass)
David Hewitt; African Tapestry (1991 – Bass)
Mel Holder; Now & Forever (1999 – Bass)
Eileen Ivers; Crossing The Bridge (1999 – Bass, Fretless Bass)
Matt Marshak; This Time Around (2004 – Bass)
Matt Marshak; Preservation (2001 – Bass)
Jack Licitra; Griot (2001 – Bass)
African Dreams; Ellipsis Arts (2004 – Guitar, Vocals, Co-Producer)
Ruben Rada; Montevideo Dos (2001 – Bass)
Samite; Silina Musango (1996 – Bass)
Samite; Stars to Share (1999 – Bass)
Samite; Tunula Eno (2003 – Bass)
Grover Washington, Jr.; Soulful Strut (1996 – Vocals)
Paul Winters; Celtic Solstice (1999 – Bass)
Original Soundtrack; People (1995 – Bass)
Original Soundtrack; Caught (1996 – Bass)
Various Artists; RCA Victor 80th Anniversary (1997 – Bass, Guitar)
Various Artists; Summer Solstice, Vol. 2 (1998 – Fretless Bass)
Various Artists; Music for the New Millennium (2000) – Bass, Vocals, Background Vocals, Fretless Bass)
Putumayo Kids Presents; African Playground (2003 – Bass, Vocals, Writer)
For all the latest news and information about Bakithi and his music, visit http://www.bakithikumalo.com
Website: http://www.bakithikumalo.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/bakithikumalo
Contact: Bali Dali Productions, Inc.
Email: info@balidali.com
Address: PO Box 768, East Setauket, NY 11733
"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
Keep checking back to http://bakithikumalo.com for appearances and performances featuring Bakithi Kumalo.
All of Bakithi Kumalo’s CD’s are available for purchase on CD Baby as well as on his website at http://www.bakithikumalo.com.
|
