This supergroup comes together in a vibrant, joyful celebration of culture from Melanesia and First Nations Australia. Sing Sing is a tok pidgin word from Papua New Guinea meaning a large musical gathering, a celebration in song and dance, a music party. Sixteen of the finest musicians from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Australia will join forces with Pitjantjatjara elder Uncle Frank Yamma and PNG music legend Sir George Telek. The musicians each share songs and stories from their culture and language, accompanying each other and collaborating to find new levels of connection, under the artistic direction of seven-time ARIA award winner David Bridie. The Sing Sing ensemble has performed at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, at the Sydney Opera House Message Sticks Festival and Boomerang Festival, as well as tours throughout Melanesia, Europe, and the USA.
Workshop:
Join ARIA winning artist and composer, David Bridie, one of the true individualists and innovators of Australian music, in conversation with three major artists on the Wantok Musik label who all hail from the Oceania region.
Meet Sir George Telek, an ARIA winning artist from Papua New Guinea. TELEK, as he is known to his legion of fans throughout the world, has long been at the forefront of the PNG music scene. Whether it is through his work with the village-based Moab Stringband, legendary ‘80s rock band Painim Wok, his various collaborations, or critically acclaimed solo output, George Telek is one of the most important performers in the Pacific region. George Telek's songs and his hauntingly beautiful voice traverse many musical styles capturing the spirit of the Tolai people of Papua New Guinea. Blending contemporary grooves with Melanesian rhythms, the music is enriched with island harmonies and textured environmental sounds.
They will be joined by Tio, a singer/songwriter from Ambrym island in Vanuatu who grew up immersed in traditional practices, customs and stories and Charles Maimarosia a contemporary artist born in A're'A're, Solomon Islands. He is the former lead singer, choreographer and songwriter of the globally successes band, Narasirato, who have brought the traditional bamboo band onto the world stage, toured to WOMADelaide, Glastonbury, Fuji Rock, Byron Bay Blues Festival and more.
Together, the three legends of Pasifika music will play songs in the round, discussing their cultural meanings in turn will delve into the rich cultural storytelling that happens through their music, rhythm and language. You only get a chance to be present with this calibre of artists once in a blue moon. Don't miss out on seeing the best of Melanesia!