Bakithi Kumalo is a South African bassist, composer, and vocalist. He is most known for his fretless bass playing on Paul Simon's 1986 album Graceland, in particular the bass run on "You Can Call Me Al".

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Kumalo was born in the Soweto township of Johannesburg, surrounded by relatives who loved music and actively performed. He got his first job at the age of seven filling in for his uncle's bass player. Kumalo worked as a session musician in South Africa during the 1970s and early 1980s, eventually becoming a top session bassist and accompanying international performers during their South African tours.

In 1985, Kumalo was introduced to Paul Simon by producer Hendrick Lebone during the sessions for Simon's Graceland album. Kumalo traveled with Simon to New York to finish the sessions, and after the accompanying concert tour, "spent several years commuting between Soweto and New York City" before permanently settling in the United States.

Kumalo has toured regularly with Simon since then. He has also released several solo records, and continued to perform as a session musician with artists such as Joan Baez, Cyndi Lauper, Herbie Hancock, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Randy Brecker, Grover Washington Jr., and Mickey Hart.

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In the summer of 2016, Bakithi Kumalo - the original bass player on the Graceland Album - was scheduled to perform his original music at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. From that booking the concept of a "Graceland 30th Anniversary Tribute" was born. Backed by an all-star band and featuring several singers at the festival, the tribute was a monster hit. Vocalist Ryan Tennis suggested keeping the project alive and assembled a touring version centered around Kumalo, whose iconic bass lines and bright smile bring authenticity to a show that's passion, energy, and pulsing South African rhythms go far beyond that of a standard "tribute band."

Featuring all of the Grammy-winning hits ("Call Me Al", "Graceland", "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes", etc) and performed by some of Philadelphia's finest musicians (with members of Amos Lee's band and other standouts), The Graceland Experience is the feel-good, sing-along night of the year.

See Bakithi and the band perform live on their 2020 tour! For tickets and performance info, please click on the links below.

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