Ladysmith Black Mambazo Plays Holland Performing Arts Center Tonight

By: Feb. 20, 2015
Get Access To Every Broadway Story

Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click.




Existing user? Just click login.

Omaha Performing Arts presents the Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the Kiewit Hall at the Holland Performing Arts Center tonight, February 20, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets start at $20, and are available at TicketOmaha.com, 402.345.0606 or at the Ticket Omaha Office inside the Holland Center, 1200 Douglas St.

The South African a cappella vocal group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, has been performing worldwide for more than 50 years. A young farmer, Joseph Shabalala, formed the group in the early 1960s. The name comes from his hometown, Ladysmith; Black being a reference to the oxen, the strongest of all farm animals; and Mambazo, the Zulu word for chopping axe, a symbol of the group's ability to "chop down" any singing rival who might challenge them. The group sings from a traditional music called isicathamiya (is-cot-a-ME-Ya), which developed in the mines of South Africa.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo's discography includes more than 50 recordings; 15 albums have earned Grammy Award® nominations, and several have won - including their first worldwide release, Shaka Zulu, which won a Grammy® in 1988. Their 2014 release, Always With Us, is a tribute to the group and Shabalala family matriarch, Nellie Shabalala, Joseph Shabalala's wife who passed away in 2002. The collection of songs are recordings Nellie made with her church choir; Ladysmith Black Mambazo added their voices to the recordings.

The group has collaborated with many artists, starting first with Paul Simon on his Graceland album in 1986. Others they've worked with include Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban, Emmylou Harris and Melissa Etheridge. They're included on film soundtracks for Disney's The Lion King, Part II, Coming To America, A Dry White Season, Cry The Beloved Country and Invictus. The film documentary, On Tip Toe: Gentle Steps to Freedom, the Story of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, was nominated for an Academy Award. They have appeared on Broadway and have been nominated for Tony Awards®.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St., on Friday, February 20, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets start at $20, and are available at TicketOmaha.com, 402.345.0606 or at the Ticket Omaha Office inside the Holland Center, 1200 Douglas St.



Videos