Difference between revisions of "Joseph Shabalala"

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[[Joseph Shabalala]] (1941-2020) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Shabalala]. was a singer, musician, composer and performer.  
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[[Joseph Shabalala]] (1941-2020) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Shabalala]. was a singer, musician, composer, choreographer and performer.
  
Born in the Ladysmith district in Natal, he brought together and became the leader and founder of the ten-man vocal group originally called [[Ezimnyama]] ("The Black Ones"), and became known for their 1970s hit record Amabutho. Later changed the name to [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]] and worked with Paul Simon on his Graceland tour and record, which made them world famous. The musical style they developed, permeated the popular performance in the 1990s and later, also stage plays and musicals.
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==Biography==
  
His song "Nomathemba", was turned into a play called ''[[Nomathemba]]'' and performed in 1995.
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Born in the Ladysmith district in Natal,
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== [[Ezimnyama]] and [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]]==
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In the 1970s he brought together and became the leader of the vocal group [[Ezimnyama]] ("The Black Ones"), made up of family members and friends. They became known for their 1970s hit record "Amabutho". The group later changed the name to [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]] and would most famously work with Paul Simon on his ''Graceland'' tour and record. This made them a household name and ultimately world famous.
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==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
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Their music and the musical style they developed, permeated the popular performance in the 1990s and later, also utilized in a number of stage plays and musicals.
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In 1992 he and [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]] contributed to, and performed in, an award-winning musical called ''[[The Song of Jacob Zulu]]'' created and produced by Steppenwolf Theater Company, Chicago. The play was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Music for a Play. Performers [[Joseph Shabalala]] and [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]] were received the prestigious Drama Desk Award for Best Original Score.
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Shabalala's song "Nomathemba", was the inspiration for a play called ''[[Nomathemba]]'' by Steppenwolf Theater Company, Chicago, and performed in the USA in 1995. Shabalala, credited as one of the authors alongside  Eric Simonson (1960-)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Simonson] and Ntozake Shange (1948-2018)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ntozake_Shange], was also the choreographer.
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== Sources ==
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Shabalala
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Richard Christiansen. 1995. "''Nomathemba'' raises hopes, and fulfills them", ''The Chicago Tribune'' 10 April 1995.[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-04-10-9504100157-story.html]
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J. Wynn Rousuck. 1996. "''Nomathemba'' sings of hope, wariness,  Theater Review: Musical is joyous storytelling, but offers a reminder of what was in apartheid South Africa", ''The Baltimore Sun'',  23 April, 1996[https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-04-23-1996114125-story.html]
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https://calperformances.org/learn/program_notes/2005/pn_Ladysmith.pdf
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Go to the  [[ESAT Bibliography]]
  
 
== Return to ==
 
== Return to ==

Latest revision as of 06:32, 21 February 2021

Joseph Shabalala (1941-2020) [1]. was a singer, musician, composer, choreographer and performer.

Biography

Born in the Ladysmith district in Natal,

Ezimnyama and Ladysmith Black Mambazo

In the 1970s he brought together and became the leader of the vocal group Ezimnyama ("The Black Ones"), made up of family members and friends. They became known for their 1970s hit record "Amabutho". The group later changed the name to Ladysmith Black Mambazo and would most famously work with Paul Simon on his Graceland tour and record. This made them a household name and ultimately world famous.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Their music and the musical style they developed, permeated the popular performance in the 1990s and later, also utilized in a number of stage plays and musicals.

In 1992 he and Ladysmith Black Mambazo contributed to, and performed in, an award-winning musical called The Song of Jacob Zulu created and produced by Steppenwolf Theater Company, Chicago. The play was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Music for a Play. Performers Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo were received the prestigious Drama Desk Award for Best Original Score.

Shabalala's song "Nomathemba", was the inspiration for a play called Nomathemba by Steppenwolf Theater Company, Chicago, and performed in the USA in 1995. Shabalala, credited as one of the authors alongside Eric Simonson (1960-)[2] and Ntozake Shange (1948-2018)[3], was also the choreographer.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Shabalala

Richard Christiansen. 1995. "Nomathemba raises hopes, and fulfills them", The Chicago Tribune 10 April 1995.[4]

J. Wynn Rousuck. 1996. "Nomathemba sings of hope, wariness, Theater Review: Musical is joyous storytelling, but offers a reminder of what was in apartheid South Africa", The Baltimore Sun, 23 April, 1996[5]

https://calperformances.org/learn/program_notes/2005/pn_Ladysmith.pdf

Go to the ESAT Bibliography

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Return to South African Theatre Personalities

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