Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Blue Note Los Angeles1492 Ivar Avenue, Los Angeles 90028
Ladysmith Black Mambazo brings its South African male choral sound to Blue Note Los Angeles for an evening centered on unaccompanied voices, isicathamiya and mbube. The listing bills the group alone, with no guest, supporting act or special program announced. Expect the vocal harmonies, signature dance moves and onstage banter associated with the ensemble's performances.
Formed by Joseph Shabalala in 1960, Ladysmith Black Mambazo achieved international recognition through its work with Paul Simon on Graceland in 1986. Nelson Mandela called the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world.” Its collaborations have also included Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, The Wynans, Julia Fordham, George Clinton, The Corrs and Ben Harper. A Grateful Web reviewer characterized the group’s singing as “guttural, harmonic, foreign, melodic, improvisational and meaningful,” while Twin Cities Arts Reader pointed to its “call-and-response style,” “tight harmonies and vocal polyrhythms.”
A small, dimly lit basement club tucked into a Hollywood corner, Blue Note Los Angeles is a dedicated jazz and live music space with a long-standing reputation for intimate, high-quality performances. The room is modest, with a few rows of seats facing a stage where the music is the focus. It's a place to listen, not to socialize, with the audience often quiet, absorbed in the musicians. Drinks are available, but the atmosphere is centered on the music. Shows are ticketed, with multiple sets each night, and the evening unfolds with a steady rhythm of live music, not casual conversation.