Ladysmith Black Mambazo (LBM) is probably the most famous a cappella group from South Africa. The group was founded by Joseph Shabalala in 1964 in Ladysmith, in what is now the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The Black in the name refers to "black ox," which traditionally represents the strongest animal on an (African) farm. Mambazo means "axe." Until his death in 2020, Shabalala led the all-male choir in the tradition of Mbube and Isicathamiya, the traditional Zulu male choral singing.
In 1986, LBM made its international breakthrough by collaborating with the U.S. musician Paul Simon on his LP “Graceland.” Afterwards, Simon worked with LBM as a producer on three albums for the American market—“Shaka Zulu” (1987), for which LBM received their first Grammy in the world music category; “Journey of Dreams” (1988); and “Two Worlds, One Heart” (1990). By 1990, the apartheid system had collapsed and Nelson Mandela had been released from prison after 27 years and was finally elected president. The album “Liph' Iqiniso” (1993) was the first album under these new conditions. The last track on this album, “Isikifil' Inkululeko” (Freedom has arrived), celebrated the end of apartheid. Mandela described the members of LBM as South Africa's cultural ambassadors.
Tickets are CHF 38.20-90.90.

Website
offbeat-concert.ch/34.-festival/ladysmith-black-mambazo

Where
Stadtcasino Basel
Konzertgasse 1
4051 Basel

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