Bakithi Kumalo, bassist for landmark ‘Graceland’ album, to appear at Rowan

Grammy Award-winning bass player Bakithi Kumalo, who lent his distinct sound to Paul Simon’s landmark “Graceland” album, will present “Have Courage, Take Chances” at Rowan University on Thursday, Oct. 25.

Kumalo’s appearance at Rowan, which begins at 2 p.m. in Pfleeger Concert Hall, Wilson Hall, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Chanelle Rose at rosec@rowan.edu.

Known for his singular electric fretless bass sound, Kumalo began playing bass while growing up under Apartheid in South Africa’s Johannesburg township. He was born and raised in Soweto, which also was home to Nelson Mandela.

In his presentation at Rowan, Kumalo will discuss the influences of Mandela, the changes he witnessed upon the abolishment of Apartheid, and the history and evolution of “Graceland.” Released in 1986, the album won the 1987 Grammy for Album of the Year and was ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 best albums of all time. Kumalo’s musicianship shines on “Graceland,” particularly his bass run in “You Can Call Me Al.”

Kumalo’s music jumps from African rhythms to Latin feels to American, pop, jazz and soul—and beyond. His appearance at Rowan will be interspersed with original compositions and traditional South African melody, rhythm, and song.

Kumalo has recorded and/or toured with Gloria Estefan, Herbie Hancock, Cyndi Lauper, Grover Washington Jr., Josh Groban, Chico Ceasar and Miriam Makeba, among others. Additionally, he has recorded five solo albums.

His appearance at Rowan is presented by Africana Studies and co-sponsored by the History Department, the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, the Office of Social Justice, Inclusion and Conflict Resolution, International Studies and the Music Department.