BASSIST BAKITHI KUMALO

I saw Paul Simon Glastonbury 2011, and Bakithi Kumalo is one of my favourite bassists in the world. HUGE character, HUGE smile, clearly so happy to be playing music. Tons of people on stage, but I couldn't take my eyes off him. Can clearly play bass in his sleep, and probably does. Always bang on the groove, fantastic. Grew up in Soweto, had his first gig age 7, filling in for his uncle's band. He was working as a mechanic when PS turned up in Johannesburg looking for musicians. He lit up the room, and has been his bassist ever since. Plays with loads of other big people too. Everyone, if you like music, catch the Graceland Imagine doc on iPlayer before July 31st. Very, very good stuff. If you're out of UK, there are ways and means, ask me! :-)
(Imagine: Paul Simon's Graceland - Under African Skies)