The Franklin-Simpson Arts Council will present Ladysmith Black Mambazo on February 25 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is presented in conjunction with the African American Heritage Center, www.aahconline.org.

Leaping on to the world stage on Paul Simon’s ground breaking album “Graceland”, Ladysmith Black Mambazo have married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music for more than thirty years. Ladysmith Black Mambazo has performed for South African President Nelson Mandela, for the Queen of England and the RoyalLadysmith Black Mambazo Family at Royal Albert Hall. The group have performed at two Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies, a concert for Pope John Paul II in Rome, the South African Presidential inaugurations, the 1996 Summer Olympics and in the summer of 2002, Black Mambazo was again asked to represent their nation in London at a celebration for Queen Elizabeth’s 50th Anniversary as Monarch.

In addition to their work with Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has recorded with numerous artists from around the world, including Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, The Wynans, Julia Fordham, George Clinton, The Corrs and Ben Harper. Their film work includes a featured appearance in Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker video and Spike Lee’s Do It A Cappella. Black Mambazo provided soundtrack material for Disney’s The Lion King, Part II as well as Eddie Murphy’s Coming To America, Marlon Brando’s A Dry White Season, Sean Connery’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and James Earl Jones’ Cry The Beloved Country. A recent film documentary titled On Tip Toe: Gentle Steps to Freedom, the story of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, was nominated for an Academy Award. The group is well known for its Life Savers candy commercials. Their performance with Paul Simon on Sesame Street is legendary and is one of the top three requested Sesame Street segments in history.

The newest offering by Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a tribute to Shaka Zulu, the iconic South African warrior who united numerous regional tribes in the late 1800s and became the first king of the Zulu nation. Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu was released worldwide in January 2008.

The concert will take place at the Goodnight Auditorium on 203 S. Main Street in Franklin, Ky.  All seats are $20 Reserved and $12 General Admission in the Balcony.

For more information call 270.586.6799 or visit www.franklinsimpsonarts.org.