Hear the harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and you can’t help but feel soothed and spiritually lifted.

The South African a cappella group, who have been together for nearly 50 years now, will perform at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on January 23. Ladysmith Black Mambazo rose to international prominence when they were featured on Paul Simon’s 1986 album Graceland. Their vocal style is based on Isicathamiya, the traditional music of the Zulu people, but gospel has became a huge influence since the group’s conversion to Christianity.

Along with the group’s numerous triumphs have been many bitter tragedies. As blacks in South Africa, members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo experienced firsthand the cruelty of Apartheid. In 1991, Headman Shabalala, a group member and brother of the leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, was killed by a white off-duty security guard.

But Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s songs don’t portray any worldly cynicism or defeat. Their music lifts the burden of a painful life. Their harmonies and hushed voices remind many of the lullabies they heard as children (along the same lines, some may remember Ladysmith Black Mambazo performing Put Down the Ducky on Sesame Street).More than anything, this is a group of vocalist making beautiful music in a world that isn’t always so.

-by Alex Mudge