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 Isaac 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
Yamma performing in October 2013
Background information
Born	Northern Territory, Australia
Genres	Folk, acoustic
Instrument(s)	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.^{[citation needed]}

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Details
Solid Eagle	Released: 1996^[2] Label: CAAMA Music Format: CD
Playing with Fire (with Piranpa)	Released: 1999 Label: CAAMA Music (CAAMA 326) Format: CD
Keep up the pace (with Piranpa)	Released: 2006^[7] Label: CAAMA Music Format: CD
Countryman	Released: September 2010^[8] Label: Wantok Music (W0001) Format: CD, digital download
Uncle	Released: 10 October 2014^[9] Label: Wantok Music (W0014) Format: CD, digital download

Remix albums

Title	Details
The Kulila Project	Released: February 2020^[2] Label: Wantok Music Format: digital download

Compilation albums

Title	Details
Tjukurpa: The Story	Released: February 2020^[2] Label: Wantok Music Format: LP, digital download

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
2020^[13]^[14]	Tjukurpa: The Story	Best Blues & Roots Album	Nominated

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

1. . Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2008.
2. "FRANK YAMMA - TJUKURPA: THE STORY". AIR. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
3. . Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
4. Billboard, 6 November 1999, "Jimmy Little" by Christie Eliezer
5. "2005 AGSC Screen Music Awards". 8 November 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
6. Hillier, Tony (23 October 2010), "Countryman review", The Australian
7. Keep up the pace
8. "Countryman (DD)". Apple Music. September 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
9. "Uncle (DD)". Apple Music. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
10. "1 Dads, Courtney Barnett Lead This Year's Independent Music Award Nominations". MusicFeeds. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
11. "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
12. . Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Archived from the original on 20 September 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
13. "ARIA Awards 2020 Nominees". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 October 2020.
14. "And the 2020 ARIA Awards Go To…". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.

External links

• NAIDOC Week 2002
• 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. [1]