You've probably heard their music but may not know their name. Their vocal harmonies are distinguishable. They have recorded tracks for Life Savers and 7 Up commercials and Walt Disney's "The Lion King Part II." They are the 10-man a cappella group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

The South African group will perform at 8 p.m. Monday in Wright Auditorium as part of the S. Rudolph Alexander Performing Arts Series at East Carolina University.

The show will include songs performed in English as well as traditional Zulu music and dancing, known as isicathamiya (is-cot-a-me'-ya).

Isicathamiya was born of the South African diamond mines in the late 1800s where black men were forced by the British and Dutch to work far from their families and homes. After a six-day work week, the miner's entertained themselves with singing and dancing competitions. These competitions continue today at YMCAs in South Africa.

"Our forefathers left the homes to work in the mines. When they were missing home, they would sing the songs of home," said group member Albert Mazibuko. "They would sing the same music but the childrens' and womens' voices were missing. So they say, 'We'll sing the women's voices.'"

The miners altered the traditional style of Zulu dancing which included foot stomping, so they would not disturb the camp guards. Instead, the men softened grand gestures like high kicks by landing their feet softly upon the ground. They became known as the "tip-toe guys."

When the men returned home to their families, they took with them their new style of singing and dancing.

"The people said it (the singing) was gorgeous and the dancing was different," Mazibuko said.

Joseph Shabalala formed Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 1960 after a dream he had of many voices singing in harmony. Shabalala asked family members to join the group and participate in competitions.

The group's name comes from Shabalala's hometown of Ladysmith, South Africa. The word black in the group's name represents black oxen, considered to be the strongest on the farm. Mambazo is the Zulu word for ax, which was a reference to the group's ability to chop down their competition at weekly contests.

“The group got serious in 1969,” Mazibuko, who is a cousin of founding member Shabalala said.

"When Mambazo was formed, our aim was to take the music to people." Mazibuko said. "We wanted to uplift every culture."

In 1985, the American musician Paul Simmon heard a bootleg recording of the a cappella group. Simon invited Mambazo to London to record musical tracks for his “Graceland” album. Their melodies can be heard on the songs "Diamonds on the Soles of her Feet," and "Graceland."

When the Mambazo members arrived in London during the winter they were ill prepared for the cold.

"When we left (South Africa) in October where it was warm. London was cold. We didn't even have winter clothing," Mazibuko said.

Working with Simmon was, "a dream come true because we were very amazed that a musician overseas wanted to see us." Mazibuko said. "We only had two days of recording time. At the end of the first day, we prayed to God, 'Don't let this opportunity slip from our fingers.' Then we practiced until 12 o'clock. The next day at 10 o'clock, we went back to the studio. We wanted to sing what we came up with the night before. Paul Simmon said that it was what he was looking for. It was very easy and the recording that day only took two hours."

In 1987, the choral group received a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album for "Shaka Zulu." They were nominated for a second Grammy in 2001 for the album "Live From Royal Albert Hall," the same category.

The group has recorded and sold more than 25 albums world wide.

They have performed at two Nobel Prize Ceremonies, for the Pope in Rome, at the South African Presidential inaugurations, the 1996 Summer Olympics and twice for the Queen of England.

The group that has received international recognition as "ambassadors for unity and peace" think's that description is too generous.

"We have humbly accepted that description," Mazibuko said.