136 ladysmith blacK mambazo Over fifty years ago the South african town of ladysmith saw the beginnings of one of the most important musical careers of this diverse african country It was there that Joseph Sha balala having already spent some time sing ing with friends and family founded the group LADySmITh bLAcK mAmbAzO nowadays they are regarded as the foremost exponent of the singing heritage of the Zulu people of South africa and have made this music famous through out the world Right from the word go Joseph Shabalala and his men sang their rivals off the stage in local Isicathamiya singing contests so often that they were soon barred from competing and merely al lowed to participate as entertainers Their first al bum was brought out in 1973 and quickly went gold Subsequently releasing dozens of other records and cDs many of which turned gold or even platinum LADySmITh bLAcK mAmbAzO also has three Grammys to its name They finally found acclaim in the Western world by appearing on two songs on Paul Simon s album Graceland Homeless and Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes Yet despite their fame the singers have never forgotten their roots nelson Mandela declared them to be cul tural ambassadors of South africa and they accom panied him when he was awarded the nobel Peace Prize and when he was sworn in as President of South africa in 1994 LADySmITh bLAcK mAmbAzO s joyous uplifting singing exudes unadulterated joie de vivre and is simply mesmerizing They have enjoyed collaborations with a long list of prominent artists over the years including a joint show recently with The Royal Ballet Britain s largest ballet company Following an extensive tour of the uSa in early 2015 they ll be appearing in leipzig at a cappella for the very first time and we re confident that this will be another highlight in the festival s history Sawubona LADySmITh bLAcK mAmbAzO singing For peace around the World

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