Frank Yamma
Frank Yamma is a singer and songwriter from Central Australia. He is a Pitjantjatjara man who speaks five languages and sings in both Pitjantjatjara and English.[1] Yamma is the son of Issac Yamma, an early artist who pioneered singing Western style songs in traditional language. He is Regarded as one of Australia's most important indigenous songwriters.[2]
Frank Yamma | |
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Yamma performing in October 2013 | |
Background information | |
Born | Northern Territory, Australia |
Genres | Folk, acoustic |
Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
Years active | 1996–present |
Labels | Wantok Musik |
Career
In 1999, Frank Yamma & Piranpa released Playing with Fire. At the Deadly Awards 1999 it won album of the year.[3][4]
At the APRA Music Awards of 2005 Yamma won Best Original Song Composed for a Feature Film, Telemovie, TV Series or Mini-Series with David Bridie for "Pitjantjara" from The Alice.[5]
In 2010, Yamma returned with the critically acclaimed Countryman. This album gained international attention which sparked extensive national and international touring.[6]
In 2014, Yamma released Uncle. In 2014, Yamma performed across Canada at Calgary Folk Festival, Vancouver Folk Festival and Winnipeg Folk Festival, where he shared the stage with Buffy Saint Marie and The Mekons, as well as performing a coveted spot opening for Joan Baez.
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Details |
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Solid Eagle |
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Playing with Fire (with Piranpa) |
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Keep up the pace (with Piranpa) |
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Countryman |
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Uncle |
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Remix albums
Title | Details |
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The Kulila Project |
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Compilation albums
Title | Details |
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Tjukurpa: The Story |
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Awards and nominations
AIR Awards
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.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
AIR Awards of 2015[10][11] | Uncle | Best Independent Country Album | Won |
APRA Awards
The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".[12]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | "Pitjantjara" from The Alice (David Bridie & Frank Yamma) | Best Original Song Composed for a Feature Film, Telemovie, TV Series or Mini-Series | Won |
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual award ceremony event celebrating the Australian music industry. Yamma have been nominated for one award.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Lost to |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020[13][14] | Tjukurpa: The Story | Best Blues & Roots Album | Nominated | The Teskey Brothers - Live At The Forum |
Deadly Awards
The Deadly Awards, commonly known simply as The Deadlys, was an annual celebration of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in music, sport, entertainment and community.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Playing with Fire | Album Release of the Year: | Won |
References
- "Wantok Music". Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2008.
- "FRANK YAMMA - TJUKURPA: THE STORY". AIR. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- "Deadly Winners 1999". Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- Billboard, 6 November 1999, "Jimmy Little" by Christie Eliezer
- "2005 AGSC Screen Music Awards". 8 November 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- Hillier, Tony (23 October 2010), "Countryman review", The Australian
- Keep up the pace
- "Countryman (DD)". Apple Music. September 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- "Uncle (DD)". Apple Music. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- "1 Dads, Courtney Barnett Lead This Year's Independent Music Award Nominations". MusicFeeds. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- "APRA History". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Archived from the original on 20 September 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- "ARIA Awards 2020 Nominees". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- "And the 2020 ARIA Awards Go To…". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
External links
- NAIDOC Week 2002
- Digital Dreaming
- Rappin' to the drum of a different beat - Frank Yamma and Wicked Beat Sound System
- "Frank Yamma: a fire that burns brighter." Article by Peter Vincent in the Sydney Morning Herald. 15 October 2014.