Ladysmith Black Mambazo A Cappella Group Brings South Africa to Fairfield | Press Releases

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (February 22, 2017) — South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo has warmed the hearts of audiences worldwide with their uplifting vocal harmonies for more than 50 years, and on Sunday, March 12 , the group will do just that when they perform at the Quick Center for the Arts at 7 p.m.

The four-time Grammy award-winning group has collaborated with major names in the music industry, including Paul Simon , Stevie Wonder , Dolly Parton and Josh Groban . Their current album, Walking in the Footsteps of Our Fathers , was nominated for a 2017 Grammy Award for Best World Music Album .

Film credits include a featured appearance in Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker video and Spike Lee’s Do It A Cappella , as well as the soundtrack for Disney’s The Lion King, Part II and Eddie Murphy’s Coming To America , among several others.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s music is made up of intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions . For the past five decades, this renowned a cappella vocal group has created a musical spirit that has touched a worldwide audience .

Assembled in the early 1960s in South Africa by Joseph Shabalala, young farm boy and factory worker, the group took the name Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which represents Joseph’s hometown (Ladysmith), the strongest farm animal (black oxen) and the Zulu word for a chopping axe (Mambazo) to represent the group’s ability to “chop down” any singing rival who might challenge them.

After a radio broadcast led to the group’s first record contract, they went on to record more than 50 recordings in their signature style inspired by isicathamiya harmonies, which were developed by singing workers in the mines of South Africa.

Don’t miss Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the Quick Center for the Arts on the Fairfield University campus, Sunday, March 12, 2017 at 7 p.m. Tickets, on sale now, are $55, $45 |$35 for Quick Center members. For more information on tickets, please visit quickcenter.com or call the Box Office at 203-254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. This event is sponsored by Dan Perkins Subaru, Darien Rowayton Bank, Honda of Westport, The Westport Inn and 89.5 FM WPKN.