CAL PERFORMANCES PRESENTS

Sunday, March 2, 2014, 7pm Zellerbach Hall

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Joseph ( with us in spiritual support ) Ngane Dlamini Babuyile Shabalala Pius Shezi l a e L

s i u L In Honor of

Cal Performances’ (&')–(&'* season is sponsored by Wells Fargo.

PLAYBILL ABOUT THE ARTISTS

N 8679 , cele - the group’s ability to “chop down” any singing Ibrates over 50 years of joyous and uplifting rival who might challenge them. Their collec - music. Within Ladysmith’s singing are the in - tive voices were so tight and their harmonies so tricate rhythms and harmonies of their native polished that by the end of the 1960s the singers South African musical traditions. In those 50- were banned from competitions, although they plus years, the a cappella vocal group has cre - were welcome to participate as entertainers. ated a musical and spiritual message that has A radio broadcast in 1970 opened the touched a worldwide audience. Its singing door to the group’s first record contract—the efforts have garnered praise and accolades beginning of an ambitious discography that from a wide body of people, organizations, currently includes more than 50 recordings. and countries. Its p hilosophy in the studio was—and contin - As we all know, the father of their nation, ues to be—just as much about preservation of Nelson Mandela, passed away on December 5, musical heritage as it is about entertainment. 2013. His passing, while terribly sad, brings a The group sings a traditional music called isi - celebration for a life and message that cathamiya (is-cot-a- me -ya), which developed Ladysmith Black Mambazo has been con - in the mines of , where black nected with for many years. Nelson Mandela, workers were taken by rail to work far away who bestowed on the group the title of “South from their homes and their families. Poorly African Cultural Ambassadors to the World” housed and paid worse, the mine workers asked the group to join him on his trip to , would entertain themselves after a six-day Norway, in 1993, when he was awarded the week by singing songs into the wee hours on Nobel Peace Prize. And when Mr. Mandela Sunday morning. When the miners returned was inaugurated as the country’s first black to the homelands, this musical tradition re - President, he asked the group to perform at turned with them. the celebration. During th e 1970s, Ladysmith Black Upon his passing, the group said, “Nelson Mambazo established itself as the most suc - Mandela has finished his journey. Although cessful singing group in South Africa. In the he has physically left us now, his message of mid-1980s , visited South Africa peace continues within us all. He was able to and incorporated the group’s rich tenor-alto- change our nation because of his incredible bass harmonies into his famous Graceland will, dignity, and humanity. Now, it is left for album—a landmark recording that was con - all of us to carry on his mission. We must con - sidered seminal in introducing tinue the journey of making not just South to mainstream audiences. A year later, Africa, but the whole world, a peaceful, for - Mr. Simon produced Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s giving place. As we continue to spread the first worldwide release, Shaka Zulu , which message of Peace, Love, and Harmony, we won a Grammy Award in 1988. Since then, the rededicate ourselves to Mandela and his group has been nominated 15 ti mes and dream of a Rainbow Nation and a Rainbow earned three more Grammys—for Raise Your World. May his journey continue in the soul Spirit Higher (2004 ), (2009 ), and Live: and spirits of all who were touched by him.” Singing for Peace Around the World (2013 ), Ladysmith Black Mambazo, South Africa’s which received the award for Best World Cultural Ambassadors to the World, was as - Music Album on January 26 , 2014 . sembled in the early 1960s in South Africa by In addition to its work with Mr. Simon, , then a young farmboy- Ladysmith Black Mambazo has recorded with turned-factory worker. “Ladysmith” is the numerous artists, including Stevie Wonder, name of Joseph’s hometown, a small farming , Sarah McLachlan, , area between and ; , and . The “Black” being a reference to the oxen, the group has provided film soundtrack material strongest of all farm animals; and “Mambazo,” for Disney’s The Lion King, Part II , as well as the Zulu word for chopping axe, a symbol of Eddie Murphy’s Coming to America , Marlon

CAL PERFORMANCES ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Brando’s A Dry White Season , James Earl Nellie Shabalala, Joseph Shabalala’s wife, who Jones’s Cry the Beloved Country , and Clint passed away in 2002. The songs are recordings Eastwood’s Invictus . A film documentary en - Mrs. Shabalala made with her church choir in titled On Tip Toe: Gentle Steps to Freedom: The 2001. Ladysmith Black Mambazo has added Story of Ladysmith Black Mambazo , was nom - their voices to Mrs. Shabalala’s recordings to inated for an Academy Award. The group has create a collection of hauntingly beautiful have even appeared on Broadway and has songs that are a tribute to her life and mem - been nominated for Tony Awards. ory. The group looks forward to sharing these In 2014 , the group releases its newest CD, songs with the world. Always with Us . This new recording is a trib - For more information, visit mambazo.com ute to group and Shabalala family matriarch or imnworld.com/ladysmithblackmambazo.

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