Sorry, this video has expired 3 on the ARIA Charts. [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. His gentle lament-like songs were mainly performed in Gumatj, Galpu or Djambarrpuynulanguages of the Yolngu people of north-eastern Arnhem Landwith references to sacred bush animals, the sea and the seasons, tribal ancestors, funeral songs, love for his parents and reverence for the land. Meibomianitis is inflammation of the meibomian glands, a group of oil-releasing (sebaceous) glands in the eyelids. Avoiding the use of a deceased person's first name is part of grieving practice amongst many Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The singers friend Michael Hohnen, who produced his album, acts as Yunupingus translator. Please check your spam folder for the email, if it does not arrive, click this link Emails will be sent by or on behalf of Universal Music Group 2220 Colorado, Sign up to receive email updates and offers from Gurrumul.
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Biography, Songs, & Albums | AllMusic How did gurrumul go blind? were a close unit, "Dialysis was not something that he enjoyed," Hohnen says. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. However, a very rare exception has been made byGumatj and Glpu clan leaders for this film. In a culture where the names and images of those that have passed over are retired, a generous allowance from Gurrumul's family has made thisstrict protocol permissible, where themusician's important role in lifecontinuesbeyond, as a bridge between two cultures. 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). And you don't really have any options it's dialysis or nothing.". [8], In 2013, Yunupingu joined Delta Goodrem for a special performance of "Bayini" on The Voice Australia. "[37] The album won four ARIA Music Awards at the 2018 ceremony; his daughter Jasmin accepted the award for Best Male Artist on his behalf. The recording is as much a representation of all Yolngu. While Gurrumuls 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. Critics have heaped praise on the singer , describing his voice as having transcendental beauty. His second album, Rrakala (2011), made some small inroads into the American market, a notoriously difficult proposition. [30][8] In 2012, Yunupingu was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the University of Sydney. Djarimirri is essentially an exercise in ethnomusicology the keeping alive of this ancient music, albeit in a more modern fashion, so that those yet to come are able to access it, no matter their cultural background. There is no cultural or social context for Gurrumul to understand or translate Every Breath You Take into Yolngu Matha to say nothing of the glaring irony of asking him to sing the line Ill be watching you. "I believe he chose to not go on dialysis, to not stay on it. Away from cameras and the stage, we are alsogiven a glimpse of the sense of humour and cheekiness that Gurrumul maintained throughout his life and career. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingus friend Michael Hohnen produced the album and acts as his translator. source: http://www.thearchibaldprize.com.au/winners/archibald, Aboriginal singer beats poverty and prejudice to top Australian charts 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. Born blind, the Indigenous Australian singer/songwriter Gurrumul grew up as a member of the Gumatj clan on Elcho Island, off the coast of tropical North East Arnhem land in Australias Northern Territory. "He wasn't writing a lot of new, contemporary style songs but he probably knew 400 or 500 songs, traditionally.". [39], In September 2021, Yunupingu's first anthology was released, entitled The Gurrumul Story. 46years (19712017)Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu / Age at death. . His family, while supportive of his success in the lead-up to the US tour, had flagged their apprehension about his expansion into the Balanda or white persons world; they were happy for him to be the bridge between two cultures, but worry that he could not maintain his cultural ties. Guy Maestri saw Gurrumul live on New Years Eve last year and says it was truly, an unforgettable experience. TheCompanion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store. "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. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. Gurrumuls death at such an early age is another tragic confirmation of the huge social gapin health as well as employment, education, housing and other basic indicesbetween indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Gurrumul would go on to perform for Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II, among others. The cover of Gurrumul's posthumous album, Djarimirri (2018). Born blind, the gifted musician leads a traditional lifestyle on Elcho Island in Arnhem Land and sings in his native Yolngu language, but his fame is spreading the world. It was his heart, having battled on through the liver and kidney damage caused by his hepatitis B, that eventually gave out.
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, National Portrait Gallery Thank you for registering! 0. A true testament to his legacy, the Gurrumul documentary released in 2018 has been screened internationally and won the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Award (AACTA) for best documentary, showing a deep worldwide appreciation for his story and songs. What made this situation unusual, though, was how it finished up. 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. [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. But the basic incompatibility of this shy, private man with the hype and spotlight of the music industry were . On the day the team is to embark on the US tour, Gurrumul doesnt show up to Darwin airport. Gurrumul (1971 - 2017) was born blind and grew up, as a member of the Gumatj clan and a speaker of the indigenous Yolngu language, on Elcho Island (Galiwin'ku), off the coast of tropical North . Which is the best brand for acoustic guitar? The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The Australian Music Prize (AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. "[29], In 2012, Yunupingu was one of the contributing vocalists on Gary Barlow's commemorative single "Sing" for Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee celebrations, which features artists from across the Commonwealth. Short curly black hair frames his head.
He was blind. Three days later, on July 25, 2017, Gurrumul died in Royal Darwin Hospital. [8][9] Although his solo career brought him wider acclaim, he was also formerly a member of Yothu Yindi and later of Saltwater Band. [10], The first of four sons born to Ganyinurra (Daisy), of the Gumal clan, and Nyambi "Terry" Yunupingu, a Gumatj clansman,[11] Yunupingu was born blind in Galiwin'ku, Elcho Island, in 1971,[12] situated off the coast of Arnhem Land in northern Australia, about 530 kilometres (330mi) east of Darwin. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu's legacy: why his music didn't stop. The album was announced on 6 August 2021 and was released on 10 September 2021 on digital platforms, CD, deluxe CD+DVD and vinyl. He recently won two coveted ARIA Awards among others and was named NT Australian of the Year for 2008. .mw-parser-output .awards-table td:last-child{text-align:center}, The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". It also jumped to No.
The album, Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow), is released on 13 April through Skinnyfish, Gurrumul review stirring and soulful ode to Australia's most important voice, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Toooften Aboriginal Australians feel their culture is hijacked by another agenda, a balanda (whitefella)agenda, and distorted beyond recognition. [8], In 2015, Yunupingu toured the US.
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (Albums & songs) - Creative Spirits That was the key.
The oldest of four, he was born blind and never learned to read Braille. The Helpmann Awards is an awards show, celebrating live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group Live Performance Australia since 2001. With a voice that captured the heart of millions across the world, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was an enigmatic talent. "He'd finished his contribution, that side of things was over, and that was the last time I spoke to him. [8], In April 2018, Yunupingu's fourth studio album, Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow), was released. It wasn't just Jones Sting, Elton John and Australian musicians Peter Garrett and Paul Kelly all count themselves among the singer's admirers. It then unexpectedly reached No. If he can do it, why can't we do it, you know?". The group was founded in 1985 and headed by his uncle and lead singer, Mandawuy Yunupingu. In 2009, he was named Best New Independent Artist and the album won both Best Independent Release and Best Independent Blues/Roots Release at the Australian Independent Record (AIR) Awards.