Photo by Luis Leal

One of this season’s highlights, the world-renowned Ladysmith Black Mambazo comes to UTC for the first time for a stellar concert as part of the Patten Performances.

For more than forty years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music. The result is a musical and spiritual alchemy that has touched a worldwide audience representing every corner of the religious, cultural and ethnic landscape.

A radio broadcast in 1970 opened the door to their first record contract – the beginning of an ambitious discography that includes more than forty recordings, three Grammy Awards and fifteen nominations. In the mid-1980s, Paul Simon visited South Africa and incorporated Black Mambazo’s rich tenor/alto/bass harmonies into Graceland – the landmark 1986 recording that won the Grammy Award for Best Album and is considered seminal in introducing world music to mainstream audiences. In addition to their work with Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo have recorded with numerous artists from around the world, including Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Dolly Parton, Sarah McLaughlin, Emmylou Harris, Natalie Merchant, Mavis Staples, Ry Cooder and Ben Harper. Their performance with Paul Simon on Sesame Street is legendary and is one of the top three requested Sesame Street segments in history.

Black Mambazo have performed before the Queen of England and the Royal Family, at two Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies, given concerts for Pope John Paul II in Rome, the South African Presidential inaugurations and at many other special events.

Join us for this evening of musical magic from the Patten Performances!