Frank Yamma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frank Yamma
Yamma performing in October 2013
Background information
Born	1969/1970 (age 54–55) Northern Territory, Australia
Genres	Folk, acoustic
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1996–present
Labels	Wantok Musik

Frank Yamma is an amazing Indigenous Australian singer and songwriter. He comes from Central Australia. Frank is a Pitjantjatjara man. He can speak five different languages! He sings his songs in both Pitjantjatjara and English. Frank's dad, Isaac Yamma, was also a famous musician. His father was one of the first to sing Western-style songs in traditional Indigenous languages.

Frank started singing with his father and brothers. Later, he formed his own band called Piranpa. He has traveled all over Australia and the world to perform. He has even been invited to big music events like WOMAD. Frank often performs by himself.

Frank Yamma's Early Life & Background

Frank Yamma was born in 1970. His father, Isaac Yamma, was a very important Indigenous songwriter. Isaac was known for singing Western songs in traditional languages. He also started Australia's first national Indigenous radio network.

Frank grew up in the camps around Alice Springs. He never had music lessons. But he knew from a young age he wanted to play like his dad. He started playing music when he was about seven years old. By the time he was 10, he had his own band!

He is an initiated Pitjantjatjara man. This means he has gone through important cultural ceremonies. He speaks five languages and sings in Pitjantjatjara and English.

Frank Yamma's Music Career

Frank Yamma played in many bands for years. He played with his father and his three brothers. While making music, he also worked other jobs. He was a stockman (someone who works with cattle). He also helped build houses.

Frank did not play outside Central Australia until 1997. He was invited to perform at the Australia Day celebrations. After that, his music career really took off! He started touring Australia and other countries. He became known for trying out different music styles. These included blues, lullabies, reggae, and rock music.

In 1998, he released an album called Inma Wiru. This was a dance music album. He worked on it with a German producer named Zeus B. Held.

Frank formed a band called Piranpa. The name means "skinny white lizards" in Pitjantjatjara. This was because the other band members were all white. In 1999, Frank and Piranpa released Playing with Fire. One of his songs, "Everybody's Talking," was even on the official soundtrack for the 2000 Sydney Olympics!

In 2005, he wrote and sang the song "Pitjantjara" for the movie The Alice.

His album Countryman came out in 2010. It was loved by many people around the world. This led to many tours both in Australia and overseas. In 2014, he released another popular album called Uncle.

In 2020, Frank released his first vinyl album, Tjukurpa: The Story. It got great reviews in Australia and other countries. A British music magazine, Songlines, gave it five stars! It was also nominated for an ARIA Award. At the same time, a collection of songs called The Kulila Project was released online. It featured his friends and other musicians.

Frank Yamma's Tours & Festivals

In 2001, Frank went on a solo tour in the United States. He performed in cities like San Francisco, New York, and Washington.

For the 2003 Message Sticks Festival, he wrote and performed 11 songs. He played three shows at the Sydney Opera House. He performed with an electronic music group called Wicked Beat Sound System.

He has toured Europe three times. He played at WOMAD and the 2012 Cultural Olympiad in the UK. He also performed at festivals in Scotland, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic.

Frank has also toured Canada at least twice. In 2014, he played at several folk music festivals. He shared the stage with famous artists like Buffy Saint Marie. He even opened for Joan Baez. In 2016, he performed at more festivals in Canada.

Other big festivals Frank has played at include:

• Livid
• WOMADelaide in Adelaide (in 2010 and 2021)
• Moomba
• Sydney Festival
• Byron Bay Bluesfest
• Adelaide Guitar Festival (2022)
• Adelaide Fringe (2024)

Frank Yamma's Recognition & Awards

Frank Yamma has won several awards for his music.

• 1999: Playing with Fire won Album of the Year at the Deadly Awards 1999.
• 2005: His song "Pitjantjara" won Best Original Song for a Film/TV show. He shared this award with David Bridie at the APRA Music Awards of 2005.
• 2014: He represented Australia at WOMEX, a big world music event.

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (AIR Awards) celebrate Australia's independent music artists.

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards honor Australian composers and songwriters.

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards celebrate the best in Australian music.

Deadly Awards

The Deadly Awards celebrated the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.

Frank Yamma's Personal Life

Frank Yamma has lived in the city of Adelaide for many years.

Frank Yamma's Music Albums

Studio Albums

Remix Albums

Compilation Albums