Paul Simon Will Not Join Ladysmith Black Mambazo in Carnegie Hall's UBUNTU Festival Concerts; Updates Announced

Today, Carnegie Hall announced artist updates for two upcoming concerts in its month-long festival UBUNTU: Music and Arts of South Africa.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo regrets to announce that Paul Simon will not be able to perform at its concert Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Friends on Saturday, October 18 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. During this wonderful evening of music, the group will be joined by South African groups Thokoza, the Bakithi Kumalo Band, and Shabalala Rhythm, as well as Zulu maskandi musician Maqhinga Radebe.

In an artist update to Angélique Kidjo and Friends on Wednesday, November 5 at 8:00 p.m., singer Vusi Mahlesela (known as "The Voice" in South Africa) will join Angélique Kidjo in her tribute to "Mama Africa" Miriam Makeba, the legendary South African vocalist. The concert, which closes the UBUNTU festival, also features special guests Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend and singer Laura Mvula. Also appearing at the concert will be Makeba's former supporting singers Zamokuhle "Zamo" Mbutho, Faith Kekana, and Stella Khumalo.

Tickets for Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Friends and Angélique Kidjo and Friends, each priced $35 to $80, are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, carnegiehall.org.

UBUNTU: Music and Arts of South Africa

With its UBUNTU festival, Carnegie Hall salutes South Africa, a country with its dizzying patchwork of cultures, eleven official languages, and a cultural life like none other. Roughly translated as "I am because you are," Ubuntu is a philosophy from Southern Africa that emphasizes the importance of community, a way of thinking that has influenced recent moves toward reconciliation and cultural inclusion in South Africa as fostered by South Africa's former president, the late Nelson Mandela. The spirit of this philosophy is embodied in the festival's programming, which features a varied lineup of artists representing the many threads that together make up the country's musical culture.

"In creating the UBUNTU festival, we were inspired by the cultural life of this incredibly diverse country," said Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall's Executive and Artistic Director. "It is a nation with a dynamic, often surprising culture like no other-the birthplace of larger-than-life musical presences like Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Abdullah Ibrahim, and now, a seemingly endless array of vocal talent from every corner of the country. Our festival also comes twenty years after the first free elections in South Africa, an anniversary made even more resonant by the recent passing of Nelson Mandela. The country's landscape continues to evolve, and this makes for fascinating explorations throughout the arts."

Dedicated to Mr. Mandela's legacy, the UBUNTU festival features Carnegie Hall performances by artists representing different musical traditions, including concerts paying tribute to notable South African icons and milestones. In addition to showcasing world-renowned South African musicians who are beloved the world over, festival programming will also provide a window for audiences into many kinds of South African music that may be less well-known: the powerful spirituality and dynamism of the maskandi music of the Zulu people, music from the Cape region including a Cape Malay choir and folk musicians from remote regions of the Karoo desert, and two thrilling generations of South African jazz artists. In addition, two critically-acclaimed South African classical vocalists will make their New York recital debuts as part of the festival. Looking beyond performances at Carnegie Hall, the UBUNTU festival will extend citywide through events at prestigious partner organizations, with programming showcasing visual art, film, and dance, as well as panel discussions featuring leading social and political voices on the significant cultural issues.

Carnegie Hall has launched a special UBUNTU festival website, carnegiehall.org/SouthAfrica, which will feature information on festival events, interviews with artists, videos introducing the music being performed, and other content designed to illuminate festival offerings. For a video overview of the festival, click here.

Program Information:

Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO AND FRIENDS
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Thokoza
Bakithi Kumalo Band
Shabalala Rhythm
Maqhinga Radebe

VOICES OF SOUTH AFRICA

Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO AND FRIENDS
Angélique Kidjo
with Zamokuhle "Zamo" Mbutho, Faith Kekana, and Stella Khumalo
with Special Guests
Ezra Koenig
Vusi Mahlasela
Laura Mvula

MAMA AFRICA: A TRIBUTE TO MIRIAM MAKEBA

Tickets, priced $35 to $80, are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, carnegiehall.org.

For Carnegie Hall Corporation presentations taking place in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, a limited number of seats, priced at $10, will be available day-of-concert beginning at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:00 noon on Sunday until one hour before the performance or until supply lasts. The exceptions are Carnegie Hall Family Concerts and gala events. These $10 tickets are available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis at the Carnegie Hall Box Office only. There is a two-ticket limit per customer.

In addition, for all Carnegie Hall presentations in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage a limited number of partial view (seats with obstructed or limited sight lines or restricted leg room) will be sold for 50% of the full price. For more information on this and other discount ticket programs, including those for students, Notables members, and Bank of America customers, visit carnegiehall.org/discounts. Artists, programs, and prices are subject to change.