Ladysmith Black Mambazo (@ Rio Theatre)

Ladysmith Black Mambazo —dubbed “South African Cultural Ambassadors to the World” by Nelson Mandela —has an admirable history going back over five decades. Formed in the early 1960s, the a cappella ensemble won so many singing competitions that they “retired” from competition. Today, over fifty albums later, their uplifting melodies enthrall audiences worldwide. Paul Simon featured them on Graceland and produced their first US release, the Grammy winning Shaka Zulu. The group continues to rack up Grammy Awards and nominations in recent years with Songs of Peace & Love for Kids & Parents Around The World (2013), Music From Inala, (2015), and their brand new release, Walking In The Footsteps Of Our Fathers (September 2016) receiving another Grammy Award nomination.