Ladysmith Black Mambazo return to State Theatre in Ithaca

Fresh off winning its fifth Grammy Award, acclaimed South African vocal ensemble Ladysmith Black Mambazo will return to the State Theatre of Ithaca on Thursday night.

The group’s latest album, “Shaka Zulu Revisited,” garnered the Grammy for Best World Music Album.

“It’s very exciting,” said Albert Mazibuko, a member of the group since 1969, in a phone interview. “It makes us think back when we started — it was only a dream but now it became it a reality, which is something very unusual.”

He noted that Joseph Shabalala, who founded the group in 1960, was optimistic about its future from the beginning.

“I remember when we leaving everything behind and Joseph used to tell us, ‘If we do it right, it will pay off in the end.’ But I wasn’t expecting it to be this big,” Mazibuko said.

“Shaka Zula Revisited” is a remake of the band’s breakthrough 1987 album, which won its first Grammy Award; it features the band’s current lineup, including four of Shabalala’s sons. (He retired from the band in 2014.)

“When the original album was first recorded, they were not in the group, but now they are, and they are the ones who lead all the tunes,” Mazibuko said. “They spice it up and they did a wonderful job. It’s a beautiful album, much better than the previous one, even they it’s the same songs. But they are sung so much better now.”

The band also was nominated for Best Children's Album for “Songs of Peace & Love for Kids & Parents Around the World.”

“We chose songs with a positive message,” Mazibuko said. “Bullying starts in kindergarten, so you have be taught to love one another at a young age — it is very important, so they grow up with that mentality. So we chose those songs with a message for the kids and parents around the world. It’s music that you can listen to with your children, but it has a message for everybody to just inspire people, just love one another. When I introduce the songs, I tell people that it’s important to love one another, your neighbors, your colleagues, you community, your nation and others.”

The band’s cross-generational appeal grows by the year, Mazibuko said.

“The amazing thing is when we meet people who say ‘I came to your concert when I was a little kid’ or ‘I watched you on “Sesame Street” and afterward my parents took me to one of your concerts, and now I’m bringing my own family to see you.’ That’s so wonderful.”

If You Go

•Who: Ladysmith Black Mambazo

•What: South African vocal ensemble

•When: 8 p.m. Thursday

•Where: State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 W. State St., Ithaca

•Tickets: $25-$35. Purchase at State Theatre box office, online at www.stateofithaca.com or by calling 607-277-8283. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, as well as two hours before shows.

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More State shows

The State Theatre will host three more big shows in the coming week.

While Friday’s solo acoustic concert featuring Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio has been long sold out, you’ll have a chance to catch another Grammy Award winner, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, on Tuesday night. At last month’s ceremonies, Isbell took home two Grammys: Best Americana Album for his latest release, “The Nashville Sound,” and Best American Roots Song for “If We Were Vampires,” from the same album.

Texas singer-songwriter James McMurtry, who played a great show at the Haunt last fall, will open the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $32.50 to $60.

Wednesday, the Wailin’ Jennys will perform at the State. The folk-roots trio of Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse are known for its tight harmonies, and recently released its first new album in six years, titled “Fifteen,” which includes versions of some of their favorite songs from Tom Petty, Dolly Parton, Warren Zevon and other luminaries. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $28.50 to $48.50.