For those of us starved of LIVE, authentic & homegrown South Africa music here in the SAR, comes the wonderful news of one of South Africa’s biggest and most popular outfits, both back home as well as internationally, appearing LIVE right here in Hong Kong!  Welcome Joseph Tsabalala and his:

Ladysmith Black Mambazo!

(Pic:  Cheers to Arvada Center on Flickr)

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a male choral group, was founded back in 1960 by the esteemed Joseph Tsabalala.  The well-traveled outfit’s rich history and long list of awards, performances and credits are too extensive to quote here but what I will do is quote the promotional leaflet issued by the HK Leisure and Cultural Services that introduces Mambazo as “Three-times Grammy Award Winner” and “2009 Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album.” 

Ladysmith Black Mambazo appears for 2 night only on:

Friday, 19 June 2009 @ 8pm

Auditorium, Shatin Town Hall

and:

Saturday, 20 June 2009 @ 8pm

Concert Hall, HK City Hall

Just to refresh your memory, have a look & listen to this waaay-old video of Mambazo performing with Paul Simon at THE anti-Aparheid concert of all times held in 1987 in neighbouring Zimbabwe!  To put yourself in the mood for their local appearance, enjoy the typical Mambazo acappella as well as some pretty fancy footwork!

(Not to date you or anything, but besides Joseph Tsabalala and Paul Simon, have you noticed the veritable who’s who of the South African jazz, mbaqanga and SA pop music scene playing in the supporting band?  These guys were trying to make a name for themselves at the time when they were signed to play at this ground-breaking concert.  See how many you can identify!)