For 60 years, South Africa’s five-time GRAMMY Award winners, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has warmed the hearts of audiences worldwide with uplifting vocal harmonies, signature dance moves and charming onstage banter. It was Paul Simon’s 1987 Graceland album that introduced Ladysmith Black Mambazo to the world. The late former South African President Nelson Mandela designated the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world,” a title the members carry with them with the highest honor.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo sings from a traditional music style called isicathamiya (is-cot-a-ME-Ya), which developed in the mines of South Africa. It was there that black workers were taken to work far away from their homes and families. Poorly housed and paid, the mine workers would entertain themselves after a six-day week by singing songs into the wee hours on Sunday morning. When the miners returned to their homes, this musical tradition returned with them. Ladysmith Black Mambazo has performed for millions of people, singing a message of peace, love and harmony.

The Cornell Concert Series wants to hear from you! The CCS is soliciting video and written questions from the Cornell and greater Ithaca communities to be presented to the artists. Our episodes will be pre-taped, with submission deadlines advertised as the season progresses. All questions can be submitted to us at info@cornellconcertseries.com.

This episode will premiere on CornellConcertSeries.com at 7PM on Wednesday, March 17, where it will remain viewable for 14 days. You will not need an account to view the video during this time. 

All episodes will be available for future viewing with a cornell.edu account on our ticketing site, cornellconcertseries.universitytickets.com.