PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CLAYTON CENTER
CLAYTON -- They are best known for defining the sound on Paul Simon’s groundbreaking 1980s album “Graceland,” and their marriage of intricate South African rhythms and the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music has lasted more than 40 years and shows no signs of slowing down.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a nine-member male choral group from South Africa, will bring their joyous harmonies to The Clayton Center on Saturday, Feb. 18, for an 8 p.m. performance.
“I am very excited for this,” said Albert Mazibuko,who has been with the group for 43 years. “It’s going to be a sweet, wonderful and amazing show.”
The group was formed by Joseph Shabalala in 1964 after a series of dreams over six months, featuring a choir singing in perfect harmony. The three elements in the group’s name are the hometown of Shabalala’s family, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; the black ox, considered to be the strongest farm animal; and mambazo, which means “axe” in the Zulu language, and is symbolic of the choir’s ability to “chop down” the competition.
By the early 1970s, the group was forbidden to compete in competitions in their homeland because of their continual success. They started recording in 1967 and incorporated religious material into the music in 1976 when Shabalala converted to Christianity.Ladysmith Black Mambazo rose to worldwide prominence in 1985. Simon traveled to South Africa in the hope of collaborating with African musicians for his “Graceland” album. Within three weeks of Simon sending Shabalala a demo, the group were in London recording “Homeless” – the music and chorus were composed by Simon, with Shabalala composing the Zulu introduction and main (non-English) body of the song.
“We were really concerned because his music was different from our music,” Mazibuko said. “But we shot up like a rocket after that.”
“Graceland” was released in 1986 and sold more than 16 million copies, boosting Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s international image. It also paved the way for other African acts to gain popularity amongst Western audiences.
Simon acted as producer on three records for the group aimed at the American market, including “Shaka Zulu” (1987) which was nominated and won in the category of Best Traditional Folk Recording at the 1988 Grammy Awards.
Since then, and in total, the group has received 15 Grammy Award nominations and three wins, the latest in 2009. Their latest release, “Songs From a Zulu Farm,” is nominated for a Grammy this year (the awards are to be announced tonight, Feb. 12).
The group has also recorded with numerous artists from around the world, including Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Dolly Parton and Ben Harper; had others appear on their albums (Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Melissa Etheridge, Emmylou Harris and Taj Mahal, to name a few), appeared in Michael Jackson’s “Moonwalker” and provided soundtrack material for “The Lion King Pt II,” :”Coming to America,” “Invictus” and “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” A film documentary on the group’s story was nominated for an Academy Award.“We have been able to work with many different people,” Mazibuko said. “We have had such a wonderful time working with these artists. It’s so great because you learn more about their music and they learn about you. Music brings people together – it is a unifying force.”
After more than 40 years, one would think the group would slow down, but not Ladysmith Black Mambazo. They have a number of new recording projects in the works, a new concert DVD and a children’s project.
“I love to do this,” Mazibuko said. “I will never stop unless I stop breathing.”
Tickets are $29 and can be purchased by calling 553-1737 or stopping by the box office from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or line at www.theclaytoncenter.com.
