Popular a capella choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo from South Africa sings according to one of the most important traditions of the Zulu music: polyphonic song, alias 'Isicathamiya'. Black mine workers, far from home, found their relaxation in it and Joseph Shabalala, frontman of Ladysmith Black Mambazo kneaded that tradition into something irresistable: Zulu music, christian hymns and American gospel combine to form a pure and proud song style.

The group broke through at the end of the eighties when PAUL SIMON recorded a number of songs with them for his groundbreaking 'Graceland' album. In 1987 the group won a Grammy Award for 'Shaka Zulu' and received world wide recognition. Since then millions of albums have been sold, the singers travel the world, and inbetween they sing with EMMYLOU HARRIS, NATALIE MERCHANT, ZAP MAMA... or they do it stridently at the side of the likes of NELSON MANDELA.

The name Ladysmith Black Mambazo was born after winning many song competitions. Ladysmith is the homebase of the Shabalala family; Black refers to the oxen on the farm, that are usually the strongest; and Mambazo is the Zulu word for axe, with which they figuratively cut the other song competition candidates down to size. Tight as a vocal cord!

TIMING

7pm doors

8pm Ladysmith Black Mambazo