Bakithi Kumalo, born on May 10, 1956, in the Johannesburg township of Soweto,
South Africa, is a bassist, composer, and vocalist. He began his musical journey
at age seven, filling in for his uncle's bass player. Kumalo worked as a session
musician in the 1970s and early 1980s, becoming a top session bassist in South
Africa. His breakthrough came in 1985 when he was introduced to Paul Simon by
producer Hendrick Lebone during the sessions for Graceland. Kumalo's fretless
bass playing on "You Can Call Me Al," became iconic. He traveled with Simon to
New York City, commuting between...