Bakithi Kumalo: Groove, Graceland, and the Power of Consistency

In this week’s Gig Gab, Bakithi Kumalo joins the show, diving into the passion and journey that led him to music. You’ll hear about how he started playing professionally at just seven years old, practicing on a cardboard bass while singing his bass lines, inspired by the grooves of Motown and James Jamerson. His first real bass came ten years after he had already been playing professionally! Kumalo emphasizes the importance of consistency and showing up, both to get the gig and to stay focused on the music. His mantra is clear: “Sing what you play, and listen to what everyone else is doing.”

The episode goes deeper into Kumalo’s remarkable experiences, from locking in with legendary drummers like Steve Gadd and Vinnie Colaiuta to his life-changing Graceland tour with Paul Simon. Kumalo shares stories of playing for survival in Zululand and how music quite literally saved his life.

Wrapping up with practical advice on getting that perfect mix with IEMs, this episode is a masterclass in how to “Always Be Performing,” no matter where you are in your career.

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 447 – Monday, September 16th, 2024
  • September 16th: National Sit With a Stranger Day
• 00:02:18 Guest Co-host: Bakithi Kumalo
  • Started in the womb
  • Don’t lose focus on the music!
  • Music starts with love
  • Recording in the studio at 12 years old
  • Learning is a journey, even from an early age
• 00:06:45 A mix of influences
  • The local radio station didn’t play local music
  • Motown, James Jamerson
  • Practices on a cardboard bass and sing the bassline
  • “I wanted to play this instrument that chose me”
  • 1972-Got his first bass… 5 years after playing professionally
  • “Be consistent, show up. That’s how you get the gig.”
  • “Sing what you play.”
  • “Listen to what everyone else is doing.”
• 00:15:28 Hiding from Herbie Hancock in the Studio
• 00:16:50 Building up a relationship with the drummer
  • As a kid, he would sit on the bass drum while playing
  • Locking in with Steve Gadd… learning to leave room for each other
  • Anton Fig, very energetic… and also South African
• 00:20:12 Just did a session with Vinnie Colaiuta
  • “Play to listen, and sing what you play.”
• 00:20:59 SPONSOR: Bandzoogle makes it easy to build a stunning website and online store for your music in minutes. Try it free for 30 days, then use promo code “giggabpod” to get 15% off your first year.
• 00:22:39 Graceland Comes During a Struggle
  • Mechanic refused to fix their broken car…but saw the instruments and became his manager
  • Then spent 16 Months in Zululand, away from his family, playing for safety, not money
  • Really learned the traditional music of Africa
  • Dreamt about playing with his fingers instead of his thumb… and then woke up and did it
  • In Zimbabwe met the Ladysmith Black Mambazo producer
• 00:31:00 Turns out Paul Simon from Jamaica, NY isn’t a Rasta from Jamaica
  • Something good is going to happen: stay consistent, play solid.
• 00:34:57 Learning to play the whole Paul Simon show
• 00:35:52 Still playing after all these years
  • Bakithi Kumal