The history, culture and achievements of First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) people will be celebrated with an afternoon / evening of First Nations artists. NAIDOC Week is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to learn more about First Nations communities.
The NAIDOC 2021 theme – HEAL COUNTRY calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.
The show HEAL COUNTRY will be four songwriters in a round robin set up, accompanied by Linus, playing a mixer of original material, and we'll known covers by nationally and internationally recognised First Nations artists e.g. Archie Roach, Kevin Carmedy, Joe Geia, Christine Anu, etc.
The artists will talk about their inspiration to why they wrote their songs on the theme of HEAL COUNTRY, why they chose their particular cover song to play and why they were inspired by particular First Nations artists.
ROCHELLE PITT
ROCHELLE PITT is Noonuccal, Kalkadoon and Erubian descent who started singing and performing at a young age in the churches and choirs of Far North Queensland. Her long journey has forged a powerful voice that celebrates the strength, beauty and love within all of us.
In her early twenties, ROCHELLE PITT had breakout success with her original tracks “Too Deadly My Sister” and “Black to Reality” from her seminal EP Black to Reality, an uplifting and inspirational ode to her First Nation people. The conviction of her live performances leaves audiences breathless and in recent years Rochelle has found mainstream success as she went from nurse and mother to star on Australia’s The X factor.
ROCHELLE PITT’s EP, Soul Mumma was released in December 2017 and today she continues to enjoy performances across Australia at music festivals, community events and across the corporate sector. She is also proud ambassador for APRA AMCOS advocating for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander singers / songwriters and passionately supports organisations such as Kidney Health Australia.
JUNGAJI (TROY BRADY)
JUNGAJI keeps cultural fires burning through his lyrics and music, sharing these stories around the world. The Western GuGu Yelanji and Birri Gubba song man shares his stories of country, love and law in language and through contemporary music.
Currently touring as a feature artist with Black Arm Band as well as performing as a solo artist, JUNGAJI is a constant troubadour. In the past several years he has toured Canada, USA, Hawaii, the east coast of Australia and performed at Brisbane Festival, Quandamooka Festival as well as debuting on the stage with the award-winning Barbara and the Campdogs at Belvoir Theatre Company.
Outside gigging, JUNGAJI works as a mentor creating new art through Australia to empower people through music as a healing and connection tool.
Forging a career over 20 years, he led a number of bands before hitting out on his own, his current music exploring language and connection to the country of his ancestors north of Cairns and Proserpine.
JUNGAJI is constantly traversing the line between family and fortune, while keeping simultaneous fires burning by respecting ancient culture and staying strong today. His work shines with underlying tones of great soul vocals informed by a life of reggae, funk, rock and R&B inspiration.
GETANO BANN
'Narrator of Life Stories' is a gifted Singer, Songwriter, Storyteller and Music Therapist of Scottish and Torres Strait Islander descent based in Brisbane.
GETANO BANN has well over 35 years, performing experience and has been described as highly passionate, poignant, and often humorous.
GETANO BANN songs are a rich blend and mixture of musical styles, which he intertwines family stories, cultural perspectives, life lessons and self reflective moments, which make a performance of irresistible listening and entertaining moments.
Some of the acts GETANO BANN has supported and shared the stage with, include: Lou Reed, Soweto String Quartet, Shane Howard and the Goanna Band, Kavisha Mazzella, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, Christine Anu, The Mills Sisters, Chris Wilson and Kevin Carmody and many more.
& FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS
