With the Chicago Marathon done and dusted, my attention turns back to focus on the wonderful Ubuntu series that has taken over New York City, most specifically, Carnegie Hall. The opening night reception was lovely – it was already going to be an incredible evening with just the lineup alone, but to sit inside the hallowed space of Carnegie Hall and listen to Vusi “The Voice” Mahlasela and Hugh Masekela bring their songs to an American stage, with special guests, was beyond what I’d hoped it would be. Backed by a supremely talented band – Mongezi Ntaka on guitar, Bakithi Kumalo on bass, Ian Herman on drums and Francis Fuster…
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s Grammy Hopes
Ladysmith Black Mambazo will find out this weekend if they are going to add a fourth Grammy statue to their collection. There are only four nominees in the Best World Music category but they have some stiff competition from the likes of Tinariwen and Femi Kuti. But, as Albert Mazibuko the group’s spokesperson says, they’re using this time to celebrate how far they’ve come as a group. “This music that has been nominated is the music we used to sing as children, so it’s amazing to think of where we are now and that it is being recognized.” LBM have achieved much in their 50-year career. Albert told me that…
