Bakithi Kumalo (; born 10 May 1956) is a South African bassist, composer, and vocalist. Kumalo is best known for his fretless bass playing on Paul Simon's 1986 album Graceland, in particular the bass run on "You Can Call Me Al".
Tap on any album for track list.
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 shares the story behind his iconic fretless bass work on Paul Simon’s Graceland and how music changed the course of his life.
Graceland bassist Bakithi Kumalo returns to the stage with Paul Simon on the Quiet Celebration Tour—his first since the singer's 2018 farewell.
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.
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.”
