Ladysmith Black Mambazo to perform at the Phillips Center on Feb. 2

January 17, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Long a favorite in South Africa, Ladysmith Black Mambazo might have escaped the notice of the world at large had it not been for fate’s intervention and Paul Simon. After hearing the group perform, Simon was so inspired by their sound that he included them on his seminal “Graceland” album. Released in 1986, “Graceland” not only propelled Ladysmith Black Mambazo into the world’s spotlight, it also sparked today’s interest in the world music.

Regarded as South Africa’s cultural emissaries at home and abroad, Ladysmith Black Mambazo represents the traditional culture of South Africa. A national treasure of new South Africa, Ladysmith Black Mambazo also embodies the traditions that were suppressed in the past.

Isicathamiya (pronounced Is-Cot-A-Me-Ya), the traditional music sung by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, was born in the mines of South Africa. Black workers, taken away from their families and homes to work in far-away mines, would entertain themselves after enduring six-day work weeks, poor housing and food by singing into the wee hours on Sunday nights. So as not to arouse suspicion among the guards, they choreographed “tip toe” dance steps that they could perform while they sang. Dubbing themselves Cothoza Mfana, “tip toe guys”, they took the tradition with them when they returned home. A fierce competition sprung up among former miners, with events held regularly in YMCA assembly halls and church basements. The tradition continues today through Zululand South Africa.

Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith’s founder, was a young factory work in 1950s Durban, South Africa, who dreamed of putting his own singing group together. After singing with several groups in Durban, he returned home to his family’s farm in Ladysmith to put together his own group. Recruiting friends and relatives, including brothers Headman, Ben and Jockey, and cousins Albert and Abednego Mazibuko, Joseph began teaching the men harmonies he had heard in his dreams. Over time, and with lots of patience, their hard work paid off and Ladysmith’s special sound was born.

With their combination of traditional South African sounds and Christian gospel music, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has been entertaining and amazing audiences for nearly 40 years. Their most recent album, “Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu,” is a tribute to Shaka Zulu, the iconic South African warrior who united numerous regional tribes in the late 1800s and became the first king of the Zulu nation. It is scheduled to be released on Jan. 15.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Saturday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m. There will be a pre-performance discussion with UF Professor Charles Bwenge at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $35, front orchestra and mezzanine; $30, mid-orchestra; $25, rear orchestra; and $20, balcony. The performance is sponsored by ERA Trend Realty.

Tickets are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS (2787) or 800-905-ARTS (toll-free within Florida) or by calling Ticketmaster at 904-353-3309 or toll free at 800-277-1700. Orders may also be faxed to 352-846-1562. Tickets are also available in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, University Box Office at the Reitz Student Union, all Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Group tickets are also available.

The Phillips Center Box Office is open Monday-Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. and two hours prior to the performance. Performance dates, times and programs are subject to change.