Marlene Cummins facts for kids

Marlene Cummins is a talented Aboriginal Australian blues singer, saxophone player, and songwriter. She is also a painter, actor, and a powerful voice for the rights of her people. For many, she is a strong and inspiring leader, much like the American activist Angela Davis.

A Life in Music

Marlene Cummins is known as one of Australia's top Indigenous blues singers. She was inspired by famous musicians like Big Mama Thornton, Etta James, and Ray Charles. To perfect her musical talents, she studied at the famous Berklee College of Music in the United States. Her band includes well-known musicians Murray Cook and Rex Goh.

Radio Host and Songwriter

Marlene shares her love for blues music on her radio show, Marloo's Blues, on Koori Radio. On the show, she plays music and talks about important topics from an Indigenous point of view. In 2009, her work on the show earned her the Broadcaster of the Year award at the Deadly Awards.

In 2008, she released her first EP, Whichway Up. The songs were so popular that they made it into the top 10 on Australian blues radio charts. The airline Qantas even played her music on its flights.

Songs with a Story

Many of Marlene's songs tell important stories. She wrote a powerful song about Pemulwuy, an Aboriginal warrior who is a hero to the community in Redfern. When she met Prince William, she gave him a copy of the song. She explained Pemulwuy's story and gave him a petition asking for Pemulwuy's head to be returned to his people.

In 2012, she performed some of her original songs, including Insufficient Funds and Pension Day Blues. Her lyrics often mix sad stories with a special kind of humor.

Recent Work

Marlene's first full album, Koori Woman Blues, was released in 2015. It features a mix of her own songs and classic blues tunes. She has also worked on a musical stage show called Boomerang Alley.

In 2022, she was the main performer at the Sydney International Women's Jazz Festival. She was interviewed on the ABC Radio National program The Music Show about her band and her music.

Fighting for Rights

When she was just 16, Marlene Cummins joined the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. This was a famous protest site set up to demand rights for Aboriginal people. She became a key figure in the Aboriginal rights movement of the 1970s.

She was also a founding member of the Australian Black Panther Party. This group was inspired by the American Black Panther Party. They worked to get better healthcare, education, and legal help for their communities. They also fought for land rights and watched over the police to ensure they treated people fairly.

In 2014, Marlene spoke out against violence and assault within communities, showing her continued dedication to making life safer for everyone.

Art and Acting

Besides music, Marlene is a skilled painter. One of her paintings was chosen as a finalist for the New South Wales Parliament Art Prize. She enjoys painting portraits and has even painted her saxophone in the colors of the Rabbitohs rugby team.

Marlene has also appeared on screen. She has acted in TV shows like Redfern Now and Supernova, and in the movie The Matrix Reloaded.

Personal Life

Marlene Cummins was born in Cunnamulla, Queensland, and has lived in Redfern for many years. Her family's traditional land is Kuku Yalanji in the Cape York Peninsula.

Her father, Darcy Cummins, was a Guguyelandji musician who traveled the world. Her mother was a Woppaburra woman from Great Keppel Island. As a teenager, Marlene was in a relationship with Denis Walker, the leader of the Australian Black Panther Party.

A documentary by Rachel Perkins called Black Panther Woman tells the story of Marlene's life. It was first shown at the Sydney Film Festival in 2014.

Discography

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