April 10, 2006
By Emmanuel Mulaudzi
LADYSMITH Black Mambazo will celebrate its achievements in the music industry with a performance at the Sandton Convention Centre on Friday, 21 April.
Led by Joseph Shabalala, the a cappella group has won two Grammy awards for its mbube, or is'cathamiya sounds. The first was won in 1987 for the soundtrack to Shaka Zulu in the category Best Traditional Folk Recording; the second was won in 2005 for the album Raise Your Spirit Higher in the category Best Traditional World Music Recording.
It has been nominated for the Grammies an additional seven times.
The group will be joined at the Sandton Convention Centre by the Miagi Orchestra and a live band, as well as two guest artists, Vicky Sampson and Danny K.
According to Ability Ngcobo, events co-ordinator at Big Dream Productions, the concert's organisers, "other partners who are making sure that the extraordinary talent of Ladysmith Black Mambazo is brought to the people of South Africa include Vodacom and Premier Food".
Premier Food would join forces with the group to donate to a feeding scheme that supports two orphanages – one in Gauteng and one in Durban.
The group's name comes from its leader's hometown of Ladysmith, in KwaZulu-Natal. Members are Joseph Shabalala, the founder, on lead vocals; Albert Mazibuko; Sibongiseni Shabalala; Thamsanqa Shabalala; Thulani Shabalala; Msizi Shabalala; Abednego Mazibuko; Russel Mthembu; and Jabulani Dubazana.
Jockey Shabalala, another member, died earlier in this year after a long illness.
The singers have performed for Nelson Mandela and the late Pope John Paul II, and has recorded with many international artists, including Paul Simon, who brought the band to the world's attention.
Others include Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Ben Harper, The Wynans and George Clinton. The men's film work includes appearances in Michael Jackson's video Moonwalker and Spike Lee's Do It A Cappella. They have also boosted the soundtracks to Disney's The Lion King Part II, Eddie Murphy's Coming To America, Marlon Brando's A Dry White Season, James Earl Jones's Cry, The Beloved Country and Sean Connery's League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
The Sandton Convention Centre show starts at 8pm and tickets, ranging from R100 to R175, are available from Computicket on 011 340 8000 or 083 915 8000 or through the Computicket website.
For more information contact Ability Ngcobo on 082 693 9692.
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