About Gurrumul - Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation In todays world where the media and the music industries are centred around hype and fashion, Gurrumul is a unique celebrity who has stood the test of time, one who could change the way you breathe (Brisbane Courier Mail, 2008) and forever altered the way people from around the world interact with Yolngu culture. [5] An adventurous child, he was taught how to play basketball and ride a push-bike around his community. He was born on Elcho Island, off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Australia about 350 miles from Darwin. In July last year, filmmaker Paul Williams, sound engineer Pip Atherstone-Reid and Michael Hohnen, creative director of Darwin record label Skinnyfish Music, were in an editing room at Windmill studios in Collingwood, Melbourne. Eight hours later he was admitted into intensive care. Aborigines in Australia remain a disadvantaged minority with high levels of ill-health, unemployment and poverty. He sings stories of his land in both languages (Glpu, Gumatj or Djambarrpuynu, all Yolu Matha) and English. With a voice that captured the heart of millions across the world, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was an enigmatic talent. The award commenced in 2005. In 2014 they finally returned to the US, playing smaller shows with less pressure, but during this tour Gurrumuls father died, just a few years after his mother. [32] "Bayini" became the first track by an indigenous musician to reach the top five of the Australian charts. It relies heavily on repetition, and Yolngu songs are traditionally quite short, so Gurrumul's vocal contributions are fleeting. Filming behind the scenes on Elcho Island (Supplied), New documentary Gurrumul gives an insight in to the humorous and cheeky side of the acutely shy singer, Gurrumul with Skinnyfish music producer and good friend, Michael Hohnen (Supplied). Most of the young people I know, they want to continue his legacy, they want to show the world that they can do it. He hates the exposure and the attention. He was born blind, Last Friday Shorten and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull attended the annual four-day Garma Festival in the Northern Territory and held hands with local residents in honour of Gurrumul. Legendary American music producer Quincy Jones praised the singer for "one of the most unusual and emotional and musical voices that I've ever heard". Short curly black hair frames his head. Beautifully narrated by his Aunty,Susan Dhangal Gurruwiwi, we learn that Yunupingu was considered to be a messenger between the Balanda (white) world and Yolngu worlds, that the singer was Djarimirri Child of the Rainbow, and his destiny was to illuminate the divide between his own culture and the modern world. He found purpose and meaning through songs inspired by his community and country in North East Arnhem Land. Gurrumul was raised on Elcho Island, off the coast of North East Arnhem Land, as a member of the Gumatj clan. It also jumped to No. Guido Maestri saw Gurrumul perform in Sydney on New Year's Eve 2008 and found it unforgettable. Our ProgramsFAQCurrent AppealsTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy, Established 2013A Company Limited by GuaranteeCharity ABN 25163166283Public Benevolent Institution (PBI)Endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR)Charity Street Address: L1 66 Smith St Darwin 0800. "Gurrumul was such a unique and happy person, someone who, no matter how recalcitrant, always made you feel that fun and music and traditional culture were here to be lived and loved.". [27], He was again awarded the Australian Independent Record (AIR) Award for Best Independent Blues and Roots Album in 2011 for his album Rrakala. It says, in part, "The family have given permission that, following the final funeral ceremony (which occurred at Galiwin'ku on Elcho Island on November 24 last year), his name and image may once again be used publicly, to ensure that his legacy will continue to inspire both his people and Australians more broadly. He recently won two coveted ARIA Awards among others and was named NT Australian of the Year for 2008. Djarimirri is essentially, an album that sets ancient Yolngu chants against an orchestral background to make them more palatable to the Western ear. Your email address will not be published. Grose publicly protested the hospital delays. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (22 January 1971 - 25 July 2017), commonly known as Gurrumul and also referred to since his death as Dr G. Yunupingu, was an Aboriginal Australian musician of the Yolu peoples. The exact details of Gurrumuls death are not clear, but according to press reports he had indicated that he did not want to continue with his difficult and debilitating dialysis treatment. A member of the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu people, despite being a world traveler, he lived there throughout his life. Deeply embedded in the documentary project, he brought the camera crew along to his fathers funeral. Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind) Gurrumul | Last.fm That killed me, near the end of the film, when his uncle says that he exceeded all our expectations.. Aborigines, for example, are 10 times more likely to contract kidney disease than Australias non-indigenous population, while in remote communities the figure is between 30 and 50 times the national average. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program. [7] He had lived with liver and kidney damage for many years due to hepatitis B which he had contracted in childhood. Gurrumul was born and raised in Galiwinku, a small community of about 2,200 people on remote Elcho Island, which is about 560 kilometres, or a two-hour flight, northeast of Darwin, the Northern Territory capital. "At first I was trying to figure out how these different traditions could work together, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. In a 2009 interview with him and Hohnen, Yunupingu said that he was generally shy but more comfortable playing music, and went on to say: "I don't have much to say to people when I talk. Light spills to the left side of his face, tumbling down his forehead, eyebrow, cheek and lips. He gave his approval for the final version just three days before he died. Its a really bad business model in lots of ways, but you have to give in to that world. Living a traditional Yolngu life, his breakthrough album 'Gurrumul . as well as on it. [5][8][15][16] His first solo album, Gurrumul, was released in 2008, debuting at No. Guy Maestri saw Gurrumul live on New Years Eve last year and says it was truly, an unforgettable experience. The trick with Djarimirri was in replicating this on Western instruments while leaving them recognisable to Yolngu people. I think there was a big education for him as well with that film, of hearing the respect, and what his uncle would say about him, Hohnen says, his voice catching. SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia. Which is the best brand for acoustic guitar? The contrast of light and darkened eyes imbues the portrait with mystery.His nostrils are round against the broad space between his nose and slender upper lip. And, for me, his legacy was opening people's hearts to one of the greatest assets of this country.". They talk of their surprise and sorrow when they realised Gurrumul was blind, and their fears he would always have to stay close to home. Prominent Australian Aboriginal singer Gurrumul dies at 46 ", The cover of Gurrumuls eponymous studio album (2008).Credit:Courtesy of ABC. He performed with Yothu Yindi from 1985 to 1992, when he formed the Saltwater Band. [26] In 2009 a portrait of Yunupingu by Guy Maestri won Australia's major art prize, the Archibald Prize. It also paints a portrait of the close relationship between the artist and Hohnen. He had also, with Hohnen and composer Erkki Veltheim, created or reworked about 50 pieces of music specifically for the documentary. For his part, Gurrumul didnt want to miss learning dhawu the traditional stories that hes expected to care for. We used to think Gurrumul wouldnt go far, would never show his independence, says Yunupingu. ", The Gospel Album (2015).Credit:Courtesy of ABC. In Yolngu lore the name, image and voice of the recently deceased is retired from all public use. [33] He released his third studio album, The Gospel Album, on 31 July 2015. Formerly with Yothu Yindi, he is now with Saltwater Band. Elton John, Sting and Bjrk were among his fans. It ends with Gurrumul performing a new song at the Sydney Opera House. His condition had worsened in recent years, to the extent that Skinnyfish had retired the singer from touring in late 2015. His musical success as a member of Yothu Yindi, Saltwater Band and then as a solo artist, is a source of great pride in Elcho Island. Skinnyfish lost a lot of money on that tour, but their relationship with the artist held and four years later, they were recording again. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, National Portrait Gallery 'I like singing about the story properly, singing all the right names of land, and ancestors, because I have to give out the right story. [8] He received tributes from the Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, fellow musician Peter Garrett, and Anna Reid, the dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. To Briggs's mind, Gurrumul's popularity was testament to his hard work, his musicality and his talent. The journey that we took with him was almost the opposite. The depth of his music, his stage presence, combined with his captivating high tenor voice incited emotion, compassion and a feeling of peacefulness within Australian and international audiences alike. Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind) - Genius Light appears to catch on his protruding bottom lip. Offered a 40-minute window of opportunity to meet him early one Saturday morning at Sydney airport, Maestri seized it. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is a blind Aboriginal singer/songwriter and guitarist from the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu people of Australia's North East Arnhem Land. Click the link to confirm your email address. Were working to restore it. Maestri worked on the painting for a month, listening to Gurrumul's music as he built up the image layer upon layer. This technology is used to diagnose gland dysfunction (MGD), which indicates an abnormality or blockage of the glands. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (born 1970) is an indigenous Australian musician, who sings in the Yolngu language. The music kind of suits that being on the edge of two worlds and the feeling of how its not completely comfortable, says Hohnen. For once, the Balanda world is struggling with its incorporation into Yolngu, rather than the other way round. The cover of Gurrumul's posthumous album, Djarimirri (2018). They talk of their. [41][42], The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector. 1 in the mainstream iTunes charts.Gurrumul peaked at #4 on the ARIA Charts. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu did exactly what youd do if you didnt want to be successful but he succeeded anyway. Earnings from his music sales went to his parentsDaisy Gurruwiwi and Terry Yunupinguand their extended family, his daughter Jasmine and her mother, and were also used to establish a charitable foundation for indigenous youth. The concert is the culmination of an ambitious and difficult project, with the musicians hes working with frustrated and exhausted by the process of developing songs in a language they didnt fully know. But the European tour is a success and they sign with a US promoter, promising unlimited opportunities. The post-pod life looks great on her! Gurrumul is front facing, his head tilts down until his right. Critics raved about his unearthly voice, fusion of music styles and authentic Aboriginal sound and stories. It's not lost on anyone involved with the making of the record how sad it is that its main player won't be here to enjoy its launch. Yesterday, a posthumous album was added to his canon. Which famous people has gurrumul performed for. What made this situation unusual, though, was how it finished up. Critics heaped praise on the singer, describing his voice as having "transcendental beauty". [8] His friend, spokesperson, and collaborator Michael Hohnen described his early musical experiences as follows: "Gurrumul was educated by immersion, cultural immersionfrom his aunties, parents and grandmothers, with love and lullabies; from his uncles, fathers and grandfathers through ceremony songs and storytelling, much of it through music. The Ultimate Guideto Choose The Right Guitar Slide, The Ultimate Guide to Choose Guitar Picks. In April 2018, Gurrumuls posthumously released fourth studio album, Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow). Gurrumul's legacy and his estate remain in limbo - Crikey A mixture of traditional songs and new compositions, they reflect his background growing up in one of the most remote but beautiful parts of the continent. "Michael had this concept of combining the more traditional songs and chanting and yidaki patterns, with this kind of contemporary minimalist orchestral tradition," explains Erkki Veltheim, the Melbourne-based composer and violinist who arranged the album. These Yolngu songs, some thought to be more than 4000 years old, were traditionally backed by the yidaki wind instrument in repetitive rhythms, giving the lyrics a foundation on which to build. (age35in2009), Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu With a voice that captured the heart of millions across the world, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was an enigmatic talent. He had no use for picks, instead he simply kept his fingernails long. And hes making it new. source: http://www.thearchibaldprize.com.au/winners/archibald, Aboriginal singer beats poverty and prejudice to top Australian charts Gurrumuls songs speak of identity, spirit, connection with the land, the elements and the ancestral beings to whom he is related. Many examples of Gurrumuls remarkable work are available on YouTube. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It commenced in 2004. About Geoffrey. He was placed on kidney dialysis in mid-2016, but Gurrumul, who'd been admitted to the intensive care unit at Royal Darwin Hospital seven times in the year leading up to his death, had started to refuse treatment. Like every other federal Labor MP, both men supported the Liberal-National coalition governments Northern Territory intervention in mid-2007a reactionary social assault launched under the bogus pretext of protecting Aboriginal children from sexual abuse. So by the time he was Gurrumul, he was ready.". His first album as an acoustic artist, Gurrumul, was released in Australia in 2008 and went double platinum. Iain Shedden, music critic of The Australian newspaper, said there was an incredible aura around Yunupingu, while another music critic, Lou Novachek, described his voice as sublime. While Gurrumul's premature death came as a shock to many of his fans around the world, the 46-year-old had waged a protracted struggle with kidney and liver disease for many years. On the other side his neck is cradled by layered fabric, and cut by the line of the cropped image. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. Simply so, what causes gurrumul blindness? Meibomianitis is inflammation of the meibomian glands, a group of oil-releasing (sebaceous) glands in the eyelids. He plays drums, keyboards, guitar (a right hand-strung guitar left-handed) and didgeridoo, but it is the clarity of his singing voice that has attracted rave reviews. If interested in music and guitars, then you are in the right place and will learn a lot. This was the final okay from Gurrumul, who as a co-producer had been involved in most aspects of the film. When Labor was elected, Garrett and Shorten became government ministers, and were actively involved in extending these measures, ensuring that unemployment, poverty and lack of basic health and education services remain endemic among ordinary Aborigines. , carries the legacy of this celebrated and important voice, and offers a rare insight into the life of the shy musician beyond the stage and the spotlight. Filmed over the course of ten years, the documentary feature by Paul Williams gives us a window into the rich and complex Yolngu culture and ceremonial life, a world that informed the singer's music and voice. Gurrumul sings for Queen but marvels at Wonder - ABC News The film features two funerals one for each of Gurrumuls parents and perhaps as a final mark of respect, it doesnt go for a third. When he was four years old, he taught himself how to play a toy piano and an accordion. Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind) Lyrics: I was born blind and I don't know why / God knows why because he love me so / As I grew up, my spirit knew / Then I learnt to read the world of . [38], In November 2020, Decca Records announced they had signed to the rights to Yunupingu's catalogue and future recordings, announcing forthcoming releases, including limited-edition vinyls, a box set and collaborations among a slate of projects. His angelic voice connected with fans the world over, including such notable names as Elton John, will.I.am, Sting, Gary Barlow, Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder. Gurrumul's collaborator and companion Michael Hohnen says Kylie Minogue introduced the blind singer to the Queen. Gurrumuls not an activist or a social commentator, said Hohnen. AUSTRALIAN musical great Dr G Yunupingu has died, aged 46, after a long battle with illness, his music label has confirmed. Gurrumul was no stranger to orchestral work, having released a live album in 2013 with the Sydney Symphony. While Gurrumul never made a public comment or any overt references in his songs to the decades of social neglect and repression of Australias indigenous population, his songs and compelling voice gave forceful and poignant expression not just to the decades of suffering but a powerful longing for a better life. World-renowned indigenous singer Gurrumul has died after a "long battle with illness" aged 46, his management said Wednesday, as Australians hailed his contributions to music. [31] In December 2013, Yunupingu released a live album, titled His Life and Music, which was recorded in the Sydney Opera House and released through ABC Music. In less than a decade, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu became Australias biggest-selling Indigenous musician. Born blind, his powerfully emotive yet fragile voice has affected the public unlike any other Australian artist. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (19702017), a Gumatj man from north-east Arnhem Land, was born blind but learned to play guitar, keyboard, drums and didgeridoo as a child. His chin and neck fade into dark greys and blacks. "Gurrumul toured the world before he was Gurrumul," notes hip-hop artist Adam Briggs, with whom Gurrumul collaborated in 2014 on the song The Hunt. For those unfamiliar, or vaguely familiar with his work, it's an even greater treat: they will be entertained, enthralled, perhaps in some small way changed. Gurrumul documentary to debut at Berlin film festival watch the trailer. Hohnen and Gurrumul laugh as announcers and TV hosts mispronounce his name, and cackle as Guy Maestri wins the Archibald prize for his portrait of Gurrumul and reads aloud a message from the singer: I didnt win this money, so please dont call me asking for some of it.. Gurrumul: a man with a strong sense of humour, deep ties to his homelands and little taste for the limelight. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Aboriginal singer beats poverty and prejudice to top Australian charts. Australias Most Important Voice Rolling Stone Australia. A multi-instrumentalist, he played drums, keyboards, guitar (a right-hand-strung guitar played left-handed) and didgeridoo, but it was the clarity of his singing voice that attracted rave reviews. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present. 'Gurrumul' Review | Berlin 2018 - The Hollywood Reporter Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (born 1970) is an indigenous Australian musician, who sings in the Yolngu language. 'The Gurrumul Story', Featuring Gurrumul's Most Popular Songs, Announced It was a professional partnership which helped to bring Gurrumul's unique interpretation of the 'manikay' (the songlines of his people) to life. Sorry, this video has expired sfn error: no target: CITEREFHillman2014 (, Australian Independent Record (AIR) Awards, Australasian Performing Right Association, Honorary awards: Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, "Dr G Yunupingu: Australia's most prominent Indigenous musician dies aged 46", "Dr G. Yunupingu, Australian Aboriginal Singer, Dies at 46", "Dr G. Yunupingu: An exquisite singer who 'spoke to the soul', "Decca Australia signs Gurrumul, new releases in pipeline", "Australian indigenous singer Dr G. Yunupingu dies", "Case Study: Inspiring Stories Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu", "Aboriginal musician astonishes Australian audiences", "Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu's legacy: why his music didn't stop", "Aboriginal singer beats poverty and prejudice to top Australian charts", "Gurrumul interview: the mystical heart of Australia", Australian Independent Record Labels Association Ltd (AIR), 2012, "7 Great Performances from the History of the ARIA Awards Music Reads", "Delta to sing Gurrumul's indigenous anthem Bayini on The Voice tonight", "Courtney Barnett, Hermitude, Tame Impala Lead 2015 ARIA Award Nominations", "Gurrumul review stirring and soulful ode to Australia's most important voice", "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time number 33: Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu", "Uperoleia gurrumuli Catullo and Keogh, 2021 | Amphibian Species of the World", "ARIA Charts Accreditations 2011 Albums", "ARIA Charts Accreditations 2012 Albums", Australian Recording Industry Association, Australian Independent Record Labels Association, "AIR Awards:2019 AIR Awards Winners Announced!

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