Frank Yamma is without a doubt one of Australia’s most significant Indigenous songwriters. With an ability to cross cultural and musical boundaries, he is celebrated on world music stages around the globe and will no doubt put on show to remember when he visits Cairns to perform at The Tanks Arts Centre on Friday 23rd September.
When Yamma sings, you listen and he has the rare gift to captivate the audience to travel with him through his music. An initiated Pitjantjatjara man, Frank sings in his native language and English. With mighty songs, magical guitar playing and a deeply evocative voice, Yamma will be supported by internationally renowned artist David Hudson for a magical evening of song as part of the World Music Series.
An Australian treasure with a rare ability to cross cultural and musical boundaries with his heart-wrenching songs, Frank Yamma’s musical journey started in his childhood; experimenting with sound and instruments.
“I started with music at an early age. I was just a kid mucking around with sound, seeing what you could do with it. I just liked creating my own stuff” said Frank Yamma.
Although he’s lived in Adelaide for many years, Frank’s spirit belongs to the heart of Australia. Uluru. Docker River. Ernabella. Central Australia. As Frank says, “wherever the Pitjantjatjara mob come from”.
Since 2010 Yamma has performed at a staggering number of music and cultural festivals and was a Finalist at the 2011 National Indigenous Music Awards. Recently returning from a tour of Canada, Yamma has also toured the UK and Europe twice, including performances in 2012 at the BT River of Music for the London Olympic Festival; WOMAD UK and the Hebridean Celtic Festival. Within his homeland, Yamma has been converting audiences at festivals including Woodford Folk Festival; The Dreaming Festival; the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Bellingen Global Carnival and Byron Bay Bluesfest to name a few.
With an emphasis on making “every show different”, don’t miss your chance to see one of Australia’s most celebrated songwriters at The Tanks Arts Centre on Friday 23rd September.
And as Franks says “Be there or be square.”
Frank Yamma performs at The Tanks Arts Centre on Friday 23rd September as part of the World Music Series. Support by David Hudson. Doors open 6.30pm. Show starts 7.30pm. Tickets from Ticketlink.
Mitch Sullivan
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