South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo was founded in the early 1960s by Joseph Shabalala, then a teenage farmer living on the lands just outside the small town of Ladysmith, in the province of KwaZulu Natal, half way between Johannesburg and Durban. Shabalala used his hometown’s name to honor his family’s history and also added to his group’s name the word ‘black’ in reference to the black oxen, the strongest of all farm animals. ‘Mambazo’ is the Zulu word for chopping axe, a symbol of the group’s vocal ability to clear the path to success. In 2017 the group released two Grammy-nominated albums. Songs of PEACE & LOVE for Kids & Parents Around The World was nominated for Best Children’s Album. The second album of 2017, Shaka Zulu Revisited, won Best World Music Album. Ladysmith Black Mambazo carries a message of peace, love and harmony as they travel the world with their music. Regular General Admission: $36.75/Advance $45/Door Gold Circle Section (1st 10 rows): $57.75/Advance $65/Door (5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax included, service charge not included)
Show time: 7:30, doors 6:30 PM
Tickets: $36.75 Gen, $57.75 Gold Circle
Advance tickets: www.kuumbwajazz.org and Streetlight Records - downtown Santa Cruz
