Marlene Cummins facts for kids

Marlene Cummins is an amazing Aboriginal Australian artist. She is a talented jazz blues singer, plays the saxophone, writes songs, and is also a painter. Marlene is well-known for her work as an activist, fighting for the rights of Aboriginal people. Many people see her as a very important figure in Australia, similar to the famous American activist Angela Davis. She has also worked as a radio host, dancer, and actor.

Marlene's Music Journey

Marlene Cummins is known as Australia's top Indigenous blues performer. She gets her inspiration from famous blues artists like Big Mama Thornton, Etta James, and Ray Charles. She learned and improved her musical skills at the Berklee College of Music. Her band has included talented musicians like Murray Cook and Rex Goh.

Sharing Blues Music

Marlene shares her deep knowledge of blues and roots music on Koori Radio. She hosts a show called Marloo's Blues. On her show, she plays music and talks about it from an Indigenous point of view. This show was so popular that she won the Broadcaster of the Year award at the 2009 Deadly Awards.

First Songs and Albums

Marlene co-wrote her first music release, an EP called "Whichway Up," with Isaiah B Brunt. It was recorded in 2008 and quickly became popular. "Whichway Up" reached the top 10 on the Australian Blues Radio Charts. It was even played often on Qantas flights!

Marlene wrote a special song about Pemulwuy. Pemulwuy was a brave Aboriginal warrior from the early days of the Sydney colony. Marlene wrote this song to honor him and give back to the Redfern community, who see Pemulwuy as a hero. When she danced for Prince William, she gave him a copy of the song. She explained how important Pemulwuy's story is and also gave him a request to help bring Pemulwuy's head back to his people.

In 2012, Marlene performed three of her own songs. These included Insufficient Funds, Pension Day Blues, and Pemulwuy. She describes Pemulwuy as a spiritual and sacred song. Her songs often mix humor with feelings of sadness. She performed these songs at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on June 30, 2012. This was part of a special event called "Our Music, Performing Place, Listening to Sydney," where other Aboriginal artists also performed.

Marlene also created music for a play called Shark Island Stories. This play was put on by the Griffin Theatre Company and was based on the work of artist Sally Morgan.

Her first full-length album is called Koori Woman Blues. It features a mix of her own songs and traditional blues tunes. Many guest artists joined her on this album, including Gil Askey, Fiona Boyes, Mark Atkins, and Shannon Barnett. Marlene is also working on a musical stage show that uses her songs, which she calls Boomerang Alley.

In 2022, Marlene was interviewed by Andrew Ford on ABC Radio National's Music Show. They talked about her Marloo's Blues band performing at the Sydney International Women's Jazz Festival, where she was the main performer.

Marlene's Activism

Marlene Cummins has been an important voice for Aboriginal rights since she was young. At just 16 years old, she joined the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. This was a major protest site for Aboriginal rights in the 1970s. She was right at the heart of the Aboriginal rights movement during that time.

She was also one of the first members of the Australian Black Panther Party. This group was inspired by the American Black Panther Party. Marlene worked hard to help her community. She campaigned for better medical services, education, and legal help for Aboriginal people. She also fought for land rights and helped watch over police actions to ensure fairness. In 2012, she attended a meeting of Black Panthers from around the world in New York. This event was hosted by Kathleen Neal Cleaver.

Marlene's Art and Acting

Painting

Marlene Cummins is also a talented painter. Her artwork has been recognized, and she was even chosen as a finalist for the New South Wales Parliament Art Prize. Lately, she has been painting portraits and even her saxophone in the colors of the South Sydney Rabbitohs football team.

Acting

Marlene has also appeared in several TV shows and movies. She was in the TV series Redfern Now and Supernova. You might have also seen her in the big movie The Matrix Reloaded. She also acted in a short film called Hush (2007) with Lisa Flanagan and Auriel Andrew.

Marlene's Life Story

Marlene Cummins was born in Cunnamulla, Queensland. She grew up in the outback parts of Queensland and in Acacia Ridge. For many years, she has lived in Redfern, a suburb of Sydney. However, her family's traditional country is Kuku Yalanji in the Cape York Peninsula.

Her mother was a Woppaburra woman from Great Keppel Island. Her father, Darcy Cummins, was a Guguyelandji musician. He traveled internationally and made connections with Native Americans.

Marlene performed a traditional Murri dance at the memorial service for Thomas Hickey.

Her life and activism are the focus of a documentary called Black Panther Woman. This film was made by Rachel Perkins and was first shown at the 2014 Sydney Film Festival.

Discography

• Whichway Up (2008)
• Koori Woman Blues (2015)