David Hudson (musician) facts for kids

David Charles Hudson was born around 1962. He is a talented Australian musician, entertainer, and artist. David plays many instruments, but he is especially known for the traditional didgeridoo. He learned to play it from a young age. He also plays guitar, drums, and other percussion instruments. His music includes traditional sounds, country-folk, rock, and new age styles.

David Hudson's Life and Music Journey

David Hudson was born in the early 1960s. He comes from the Ewamin and Western Yalanji peoples. These groups live in the Far North Queensland region of Australia. David grew up in a family where art and storytelling were very important. He learned traditional stories and how to paint them. He also learned to play the didgeridoo. After finishing high school in 1979, he studied to become a recreation officer.

Starting the Tjapukai Cultural Park

In 1987, David Hudson and his wife, Cindy Judd, started something special. They created the Tjapukai Dance Theatre. This led to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park in Kuranda. It was a place where people could learn about Aboriginal culture.

Touring with Yanni

David is also famous for touring with the Greek-American musician, Yanni. From 1996 to 2005, David performed with Yanni as a dancer and musician. You can hear him on Yanni's albums like Tribute, Ethnicity, and Yanni Live! The Concert Event.

Working in Films and as an Advisor

David Hudson has also worked in movies. He was in the film The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996). In 2013, he helped Dreamworld theme park. He was a cultural advisor, choreographer, and script writer for them.

Special Recognition

On March 26, 2014, David received a special award. James Cook University in Cairns gave him an Honorary Doctorate. This was to honor his amazing work for the Queensland community. He was recognized for helping students and researchers learn about Aboriginal culture. He also became a role model for many people.

Sharing Culture with TEDx

In October 2014, David gave a TEDx talk. It was called "Have Didge will Travel." In his talk, he shared his story. He explained how he uses the didgeridoo to share a positive message about Aboriginal culture.

Continuing His Work

Today, David Hudson continues to be busy. He gives motivational talks and cultural workshops. He also creates original paintings and makes custom didgeridoos. In April 2018, he performed at the opening of the Sir John Monash Centre in France. He even gave a didgeridoo he made to the Prime Minister of Australia for the museum.

David Hudson's Music Albums

David Hudson has released many albums over the years. Here are some of them:

• Undara Dawn (1988)
• Touching the Sounds of Australia (1988)
• Australia: Sound of the Earth (with Steve Roach and Sarah Hopkins) (1991)
• Woolunda (1993)
• Rainbow Serpent – Music for Didgeridoo & Percussion (1994)
• Bedarra (1996)
• Didgeridoo Spirit (1996)
• Guardians of the Reef (1996)
• Heart of Australia (1996)
• The Art of Didgeridoo: Selected Pieces 1987–1997 (1997)
• Bama Muralug: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Traditional Songs (1997)
• Kuranda (1997)
• The Sound of Gondwana: 176,000 Years in the Making (with Alan Dargin, Matthew Doyle, and Mark Atkins) (1997)
• Spirit in the Sky (1997)
• Wangetti (1997)
• Yigi Yigi: Solo Didgeridoo (1997)
• Gudju Gudju (1998)
• Gunyal (1998)
• Walkabout (1999)
• The Stolen Generation – Rosie’s Freedom (2000)
• Just Like a Dream (2002)
• Australian Savannah (2002)
• Coolamon (2002)
• Passions of the Reef (2002)
• Postcard from David Hudson (2002)
• Just a Dream (2002)
• Castaway (2004)
• Spirit Songs of the Great Barrier Reef (2005)
• Woolunda Vol.2 (2006)
• Very Best of David Hudson (2006)
• Didgeralia (2007)
• The Naked Melody (2007)
• Ooramin: the Meditative Digeridoo (2007)
• Jinna Jinna: Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories (2007)
• Primal Elegance Didgeridoo/Piano (with Mark Mannock) (2007)
• DreamRoads Country Rock (2007)