Was gurrumul married
- •
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (1970–2017), a man of the Gumatj clan of north east Arnhem Land, was born blind but learned to play guitar, keyboard, drums and didgeridoo as a child. He performed with Yothu Yindi from 1985 to 1992, when he formed the Saltwater Band. Gurrumul shot to prominence in 2008 with the release of his debut album Gurrumul, which was nominated for four ARIAs and won two. Critics raved about his unearthly voice, his successful fusion of music styles and his authentic Aboriginal sound and stories. The Age critic called his release, Rrakala (2011), ‘the definitive Australian folk record of our times’; in a cover article Rolling Stone called him ‘Australia’s most important voice’. Gurrumul sang about Gumatj stories in Yolngu, but his song ‘Gurrumul History’ was in English, the better to spread his story. ‘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. It is like a celebration,’ he once said.
Updated 2018
- •
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
Award accepted by Jasmine Yunupingu on behalf of Artist of the Year Gurrumul Yunupingu
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is a Gumatj man from Galiwin’ku on Elcho Island in the Northern Territory.
Gurrumul’s musical exceptional skills on drums, keyboards, guitar and digeridoo were largely self-taught, despite being born blind. His singing voice has drawn great attention and acclaim with his music topping Australian charts and being recognised with ARIA and Deadly Awards.
He is acclaimed overseas too. Gurrumul can count Will.I.Am, Elton John and Sting among his fans, and has performed for Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth the second, USA President Barack Obama and Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark.
Singing in several Yolngu languages and English, his blend of traditional songs and modern compositions has changed the way people experience Indigenous music.
Adding to Gurrumul’s accomplishments, his Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation supports remote Indigenous youth to become involved in arts and cultural programs, learning skills and pursui
- •
AustLit
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, who has been blind since birth, is a member of the Gumatj clan of north east Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. He sings in his native language of Gumatji or Djambarrpuynu the songs and stories of the Gumatj clan that he adapts into contemporary song styles. Mostly self taught, he plays drums, keyboards, guitar and didgeridoo. At the age of fifteen Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was identified as a young and extremely talented multi-instrumentalist and joined the ARIA Award winning band Yothu Yindi where he played an integral role until 1992.
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu has contributed greatly to the Indigenous music industry and was recognised at the Northern Territory Indigenous Music Awards where he was awarded the Album of the Year and Song of the Year 2008. Earning attention in the mainstream music industry in Australia, he has also been nominated for several ARIA Awards, including the coveted Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. He received media attention from the international music industry sphere when his debut album Gurrumul w
Copyright ©damtree.pages.dev 2025