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Grammy winner Bakithi Kumalo kicks off Spiritual Emphasis Westminster program

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Posted on Wednesday, October 16, 2019

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Westminster College’s Office of Faith and Spirituality will begin the Fall 2019 Spiritual Emphasis Westminster series with Bakithi Kumalo and The South African All-Stars at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, in the Wallace Memorial Chapel.

A Grammy Award winning bassist, Kumalo is also a singer, songwriter, speaker and empowerment facilitator. He uses his work to advocate for South African heritage and cultural awareness.

Born and raised in Soweto, Kumalo was introduced to Paul Simon in 1985 and played a major role in Simon’s Graceland album. He has toured regularly with Simon over the years and in addition to his solo work, he has also recorded or toured with musicians such as Joan Baez, Cyndi Lauper, Herbie Hancock, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Josh Groban, Randy Brecker, Grover Washington Jr., Mickey Hart and Chris Botti.

Morris Goldberg, David Bravo, Rodney Harris and Tshila round out the All-Star Band. With the exception of Harris, all band members were born and raised in Africa.

Goldberg, recognized as an early pioneer of Cape Jazz, plays the clarinet and flute. He has recorded several solo albums, as well as numerous albums with his own band, OJOYO.

Bravo works as a songwriter and composer. He has toured, recorded and collaborated with Bo Diddley, Harry Belafonte and others.

Harris, a self-taught musician from New York, specializes in playing the drums. He has played with national acts and continues to do recordings and live shows with various artists.

Tshila is a singer, songwriter and producer who taught herself to play the guitar, keyboard and various African instruments. Her latest album, World in Crisis, addresses the social and political challenges the world faces from an African woman’s perspective.

Kumalo and company will also speak with various Westminster classes about African American history and music throughout the day on Monday, Oct. 28.

The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Diane Gabriel in the Office of Faith and Spirituality at 724-946-7117 or gabriedl@westminster.edu.