You get it when theres a problem with a few dozen tiny glands in your eyelids that help make the oil layer of your tears. Through the film we get a glimpse of just how special and integral the bond between Gurrumul and Hohnen was, with the latter often being known as the spokesperson for the acutely shy performer both on stage and in interviews. did he go blind from his family torturing him or was he born that way i don't remember if they expanded on it or not. He was born blind, has never learned Braille and does not have a guide dog or use a white cane. The Most Beautiful Song Ever Written (Australian Aboriginal), This song is called Wiyathul and its by a blind aboriginal man called Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. The recording is as much a representation of all Yolngu. Critics raved about his unearthly voice, fusion of music styles and authentic Aboriginal sound and stories. Gurrumul went home for the funeral and ceremonial sorry business, and to take on the cultural responsibilities that were now his. He learned foot stomping calling and whooping, vocalisations of traditional songs and their different sounds, and so much more. Formerly with Yothu Yindi, he is now with Saltwater Band. On 25 July 2017, Australia mourned the loss of one of its music greats. Gurrumul was not an enigma, the film reveals, but rather a man with a strong sense of humour, deep ties to his homelands, and little taste for the limelight as he travelled around Europe, the US and 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. He also forged a successful solo career. He was born blind. Gift of the artist 2011. It commenced in 2004. 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. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (born 1970) is an indigenous Australian musician, who sings in the Yolngu language. ", When we speak, eight months after Gurrumul's death, Hohnen is just pulling himself together after what he describes as a fairly dysfunctional time. He also won three Deadlys, winning for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Gurrumul and Single of the Year for Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind). Central to Gurrumul's career was Michael Hohnen, a musician and producer who established SkinnyFish Records and was the first to encourage the shy singer to step out from the Saltwater Band to develop his own unique style of playing and performing. Gurrumuls uncle, Mandawuy Yunupingu, died from kidney disease in June 2013, aged 56. Deeply embedded in the documentary project, he brought the camera crew along to his fathers funeral. 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. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (22 January 1971 25 July 2017), often known simply as Gurrumul, was an indigenous Australian musician. To Briggss mind, Gurrumuls popularity was testament to his hard work, his musicality and his talent. His chin and neck fade into dark greys and blacks. , 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. Yesterday, a posthumous album was added to his canon. 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. he says. The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. His first album as an acoustic artist, Gurrumul, was released in Australia in 2008 and went double platinum. Gurrumul is front facing, his head tilts down until his right. [10] In December 2020, Yunupingu was listed at number 33 in Rolling Stone Australia's "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time" issue. Gurrumul's collaborator and companion Michael Hohnen says Kylie Minogue introduced the blind singer to the Queen. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was born blind in 1971 as a member of the Gumatj clan and a speaker of the indigenous Yolu . Even in his death, he's transcended genres and cultural barriers. "Yeah. 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. Interviews and feature reports from NITV. "A lot of youngsters in the north-east Arnhem Land region, where G comes from, and other youngsters from all around NT, from every Aboriginal community, a lot of youngsters are doing music today. The best of these include Bapa, which is dedicated to his father, Wukun, about storm clouds rising over Elcho Island, and History (I Was Born Blind), one of his few English-language songs. Gurrumul shot to prominence in 2008 with the release of his debut album Gurrumul, which was nominated for four ARIAs and won two. I believe he was born that way if I remember correctly. He was born on Elcho Island, off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Australia about 350 miles from Darwin. Instead of undergoing minor surgery to rectify the problem, which was associated with liver disease, Gurrumul was left overnight in the Rapid Assessment Unit, where he continued vomiting blood. The most unforgettable aspect of his musicits essencewas the sensuality and emotional power of his voice, which had an otherworldly character that seemed to speak across the ages. Lighthearted yarn on all things NBA and NBL, Join Narelda Jacobs and John Paul Janke to get unique Indigenous perspectives and cutting-edge analysis of the biggest stories of the week. "[That] was a real challenge, but also a great pleasure to come up with these arrangements," he recalls. "Ive assumed our audience knows next to nothing about Australian Indigenous culture generally, less about the Yolngu culture of North East ArnhemLand, and nothing about Gurrumuls Gumatj Clan Nation. He just says its his role to tell these stories about his culture.. How did gurrumul go blind? The extraordinary song was inspired by the cries of native bush fowls. Critics have heaped praise on the singer , describing his voice as having transcendental beauty. He left the group in 1995 to live full-time on Elcho Island and later co-founded and co-led the Saltwater Band, which was active from 1999 to 2009. [35], Yunupingu died at the Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory, at about 5:00pm on 25 July 2017, aged 46. 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. "It's affected Mark and I very personally," he says, referring to his Skinnyfish Music co-founder, Mark Grose. In 2012, Gurrumul was refused service by a taxi driver after a concert performance in Melbourne, and in 2015, his musician brother and uncle were refused three pre-booked taxis in Darwin. The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. By his mid-teens he had joined Indigenous rock group Yothu Yindi and a little while later Hohnen convinced him to pursue a solo career. Blind from birth, the proud Yolngu man spoke through his music. Sir Elton John, Sting and Bjrk are among his fans. With his extraordinary voice and hauntingly beautiful album, Gurrumul, Indigenous singer Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu has become something of a cultural phenomenon over the last year. Nea definition National Education Association. 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. Many examples of Gurrumuls remarkable work are available on YouTube. 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. To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald or The Age. He gave his approval for the final version just three days before he died. Gurrumuls home community of Galiwinku and the surrounding Arnhem Land is Aboriginal territory and a deeply traditional place of multiple clans and tribes. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people. He became the highest-selling Aboriginal artist in history, selling more than half a million copies of his albums, singing in Yolngu and some English. The collar on his right covers the neck and makes the jaw line directly. With a voice that captured the heart of millions across the world, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was an enigmatic talent. "Dialysis was not something that he enjoyed," Hohnen says. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (22 January 1971 25 July 2017), commonly known as Gurrumul and also referred to since his death as Dr G. Yunupingu,[note 1][5][6][7] was an Aboriginal Australian musician[8] of the Yolu peoples. 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. 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. [8], In April 2018, Yunupingu's fourth studio album, Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow), was released. We Yolngu live by our own unique balance of life,culture and land and we care for our country and our people.. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu's legacy: why his music didn't stop. It debuted at number 3 on the ARIA Charts. father And I think Yolngu don't want him forgotten, that's what they said to us. Its a heartbreaking moment in the film. I usually work in a very liberal, gestural way but this time I built up the image quietly and slowly with many glazes in an attempt to capture the beautiful quality of his skin. 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. Yunupingu, who was born blind, has an ongoing liver condition due to contracting Hepatitis B from a young age, Skinny Fish Music managing director Mark Grose told the ABC. He was the most commercially successful Aboriginal Australian musician at the time of his death. working together [8][28] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2011, he won Best World Music Album and performed "Warwu" featuring Missy Higgins on piano. GURRUMUL, a documentary. Gurrumuls second studio album, Rrakala (2011).Credit:Courtesy of ABC. I worked on it for over a month, mostly while listening to his music. Theres a dozen yidaki elsewhere known as didgeridoos in a plastic bin sitting in the corner, some painted in traditional designs, some wrapped in silver gaffa tape. He hates the exposure and the attention. Instead of his usual "see you later", Gurrumul ended the call by saying goodbye, which he'd not done before. [36] A documentary film titled Gurrumul was also released, which Luke Buckmaster reviewed, stating that "For Gurrumul fans, the film is obviously a must-see. 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. In less than a decade, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu became Australias biggest-selling Indigenous musician. He is from the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu and his mother from the Galpu nation. His songs covered themes of identity, spirit, connection with the land and its elements across multiple Yolngu languages as well as English. The money he made was largely shared with his family, following the Aboriginal tradition of sharing wealth. The Most Beautiful Song Ever Written (Australian Aboriginal) This song is called Wiyathul and its by a blind aboriginal man called Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. being brought to life through the fusion of Gurrumul's voice and guidance in traditional song being fused with the work ofcomposer Erkki Veltheim and the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Herein, how did gurrumul go blind? When Gurrumul died, the record label pressed pause, in part because in Yolngu culture, when a person dies, their name, image and any music or art is retired for some time. His first album as an acoustic artist, Gurrumul, was released in Australia in 2008 and went double platinum. If interested in music and guitars, then you are in the right place and will learn a lot. Its a clash of cultures, its a clash of world views, says Skinnyfish Music director and cofounder, Mark Grose. 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). "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. The award commenced in 2005. Michael Hohnen He found purpose and meaning through songs inspired by his community and country in North East Arnhem Land. His third release, The Gospel Album (2015), cemented what those close to him had known for years that this unassuming Indigenous Australian, who was born blind and taught himself to play a guitar held upside down, wasn't an angelic-voiced flash in the pan. The intervention tore up the democratic rights of Aborigines in the territory, quarantined social welfare and pensions, seized indigenous land and imposed repressive controls on indigenous communities. He says the Queen remembered Gurrumul from their last meeting, saying: "Yes, I've met this man before." But Hohnen says Gurrumul was more excited at the chance to meet American music legend Stevie Wonder. Born blind, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was the lead singer of the Saltwater Band and the keyboard player and guitarist of Yothu Yindi. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a common eye condition, yet many people dont realize they have it. Ted Gondarra, Elcho Island resident stated that the final wish for the film, which was given approval by Gurrumul only a few days before he passed away, was that it would be a source of continued pride for the community. Required fields are marked *. "People forget he was in Yothu Yindi and Saltwater. "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. Famed US jazz composer and arranger Quincy Jones said that the Aboriginal singer-songwriter had one of the most unusual and emotional and musical voices that Ive heard.. There are public aspects of Gurrumuls short life that arent explored by the documentary his long-running health issues, and the high levels of poverty in remote Indigenous communities such as Galiwinku. It wasn't just Jones Sting, Elton John and Australian musicians Peter Garrett and Paul Kelly all count themselves among the singer's admirers. He found purpose and meaning through songs inspired by his community and country in North East Arnhem Land. Gurrumuls second studio album, Rrakala (2011). The very nature of these traditional songs and the yidaki patterns do have a lot of repetition in them, but also a lot of variation within that repetition, which combines really well with the small orchestra.". [8][9] Although his solo career brought him wider acclaim, he was also formerly a member of Yothu Yindi and later of Saltwater Band. He just wants to play music.. [32] "Bayini" became the first track by an indigenous musician to reach the top five of the Australian charts. Hohnen was on the phone with Gurrumul, his longtime friend and musical partner, and the biggest star at Skinnyfish, which he co-owns. But the European tour is a success and they sign with a US promoter, promising unlimited opportunities. 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. Gurrumul has performed for Her Majesty the Queen of England, US President Barack Obama, Prince Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark. Although, spending a lot of time with his family, they said to us, even at his funeral, that no one's stopped listening to his music. Yunupingus doctor Paul Lawton told a press conference that the singer was a victim of incompetence or racial profiling. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, 38, from Elcho Island in Arnhem Land, northern Australia, has been hailed as one of the brightest talents ever to emerge from the countrys indigenous population, with his debut solo album reaching number one in the countrys independent music charts and his recent concerts selling out. With Manuel Dhurrkay he also fronted Saltwater Band, the group putting out three records in a decade from 1999. The CD simply titled Gurrumul quickly achieved triple platinum sales status in Australia and sold half a million copies worldwide. ", Explains Hohnen, "In most situations when an Aboriginal person up here passes away, the name gets changed, and the music and imagery gets stopped," explains Hohnen. The studio is a converted garage, littered with the signs of the musical and cultural worlds it works in. 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. As his aunt Susan Dhangal Gurruwiwi narrates: When you talk about Gurrumul, its a big story.. Him and Michael, they've delivered this gift of music. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. He was one of only two Australian performers at the Queens Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace. National Endowment for the Arts. Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention And Consumer Protection Act Of 2005. Though affectionately calling each other "wwa", the Gumatj word for 'brother', we can see how their connection was more like family. A new documentary and posthumous album dispel the myths surrounding a beloved Australian Indigenous artist. The cover of Gurrumuls eponymous studio album (2008). When telling of the life of Gurrumul, his culture and community was a hugely important aspect of the film. Gurrumul Yunupingu 1971 2017 Born blind, his powerfully emotive yet fragile voice has affected the public unlike any other Australian artist. "" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. Sorry, this video has expired That is for other Yolu. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - History (I Was Born Blind) - YouTube 0:00 / 3:47 Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - History (I Was Born Blind) DramaticoMusic 67.2K subscribers 309K views 13. All of the songs ended up in major keys, a coincidence which to Hohnen's mind gives it a happy vibe. "One world is Balanda, the other world is Yolngu," as Gurrumul describes it. A year later he began to play a guitar; despite being a left-hander, he played a right-handed guitar, holding it upside down, which he would continue to do throughout his career. What Williams has been able to achieve here is quite remarkable, to be able to capture these very intimate moments within the community speaks to the level of trust and respect between the community and the film-makers, and also an acknowledgement of the status of Gurrumul. Guy Maestri saw Gurrumul live on New Years Eve last year and says it was truly, an unforgettable experience. Gurrumul was a founding member of the band Yothu Yindi. In 2009 a portrait of Gurrumul by Guy Maestri won Australias major art prize, The Archibald Prize. The group was founded in 1985 and headed by his uncle and lead singer, Mandawuy Yunupingu. From there, the task was to transcribe the yidaki patterns into Western notation. Throughout his childhood, he was built, given or bought tin cans, sticks, toy keyboards, piano accordions, nylon string guitars, and, later, clap sticks (bilma) and didgeridoos (yidaki). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); It could be that you are wondering whether you are in the right place. [8] As of 2020, it is estimated that Yunupingu has sold half a million records globally. Jasmine YunupinguGeoffrey Gurrumul . 46years (19712017)Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu / Age at death. The documentary opens with one of Gurrumuls earliest and only media interviews, a filmed sit-down with the ABCs flagship current affairs show. Completed early in 2017, the album was slated for release in the middle of last year. Yunupingus success is all the more remarkable because he speaks only a few words of English, is said to be acutely shy, and most of his songs are sung in his native language of Yolngu. The album and the documentary are both a bittersweet final offering from a truly gifted and special artist, whose legacy will live on and continue to touch the lives and imagination of generations to come. Gurrumuls not an activist or a social commentator, said Hohnen. But I can play and sing and tell people things through my songs. Critics . Sydney Morning Herald reviewer Bruce Elder recalled the first time he heard the young singer. Directed by Paul Williams, Gurrumul's uncle, Djunga Djunga Yunupingu, and aunt, Gurruwiwi are the only narrators of the film, but it also features his parents and friends. The journey that we took with him was almost the opposite. 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. He was born blind, Closing their eyes, and opening their hearts, they will see him," Gurruwiwi says. This technology is used to diagnose gland dysfunction (MGD), which indicates an abnormality or blockage of the glands. Formerly a member of Yothu Yindi and Saltwater Band, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, who was blind from birth and passed away last year at age 46, released his first solo album in 2008. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu did exactly what youd do if you didnt want to be successful but he succeeded anyway. TheCompanion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store. 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. [34], In July 2016, Yunupingu featured on the A.B. This song has been hailed by critics and millions over th. 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! We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. With a voice that captured the heart of millions across the world, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was an enigmatic talent. ", The cover of Gurrumuls eponymous studio album (2008).Credit:Courtesy of ABC. ", His niece, Miriam Yirrininba Dhurrkay, says Gurrumul's life and music are still inspiring Yolngu people. [8], In 2015, Yunupingu toured the US. On the other side his neck is cradled by layered fabric, and cut by the line of the cropped image. This song has been hailed by critics and millions over th. When he was four years old, he taught himself how to play a toy piano and an accordion. He was born on Elcho Island, off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Australia about 350 miles from Darwin. "There's anger, abuse, there's hurt, there are quite sinister ways, destructive ways.