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Frank Yamma
Frank Yamma.jpg
Yamma performing in October 2013
Background information
Born Northern Territory, Australia
Genres Folk, acoustic
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Years active 1996–present
Labels Wantok Musik

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. 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.

Career

In 1999, Frank Yamma & Piranpa released Playing with Fire. At the Deadly Awards 1999 it won album of the year.

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.

In 2010, Yamma returned with the critically acclaimed Countryman. This album gained international attention which sparked extensive national and international touring.

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.

Discography

Studio albums

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

Remix albums

Title Details
The Kulila Project
  • Released: February 2020
  • Label: Wantok Music
  • Format: digital download

Compilation albums

Title Details
Tjukurpa: The Story
  • Released: February 2020
  • 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 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".


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 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
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