Bakithi Kumalo’s African Bass Series: Armand Sabal-Lecco

Two bass titans from Africa sit down for a discussion about the wealth of talent and grooves coming from their home country.

Bakithi Kumalo’s African Bass Series: Armand Sabal-Lecco

Two bass titans from Africa sit down for a discussion about the wealth of talent and grooves coming from their home country.

Bakitihi Kumalo was the first African bass player to reach prominence in the U.S. and worldwide, through his stunning fretless work on Paul Simon’s landmark album Graceland [1986, Warner Bros.]. In subsequent years, Kumalo has been a tireless supporter and promoter of his fellow African bassists, leading to this Bass Magazine conversation series in which Bakithi chats with his fellow plucking plainsmen. First up is Armand Sabal-Lecco, whom Kumalo credits as the second African bass player to follow him to the U.S. and the world stage, via Paul Simon’s album The Rhythm of the Saints [1990, Warner Bros.]. Since then, Sabal-Lecco has made his mark as a bassist and composer with such artists as Stanley Clarke, John Patitucci, the Brecker Brothers, Peter Gabriel, Herbie Hancock, Stewart Copeland, Al DiMeola, and Sir George Martin. Armand also formed Mass Mental with Robert Trujillo and has his own band, Positive Army. Armand, what part of Africa are you from, and what was some of the fi
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Chris Jisi   By: Chris Jisi

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