Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Editorial

Time:8pm
Cost:$82.90
Bookings: 136-100 Ticketmaster

Upon returning to his hometown of Ladysmith after discovering his musical talent in Durban, Joseph Shabalala formed several musical groups. He was unsatisfied with the results until 1964, when he heard a harmony in a dream. He recruited some family members and close friends, teaching them the music he heard in his mind. Together they won every musical competition they entered until they weren't allowed to enter them anymore; but the group were subsequently invited to entertain. This was the birth of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

The group have more than 40 albums, more than 6 million CD sales and several Grammy nominations and awards under their belts, most recently winning Best Traditional World Music CD in 2009 for their album Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu. The group accompanied Nelson Mandela to the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, and sang at President Mandela's 1994 inauguration. They have recorded and performed with numerous internationally acclaimed artists such as Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton and Ben Harper.

Their fusion of traditional Christian gospel and Zulu music celebrates the traditions banned during apartheid, and embodies the liberation of a people.

Lawrence Bull