First Nations Artist Residency Program
Presented in partnership between the Australian Art Orchestra (AAO) and The Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF), the First Nations Artist Residency Program is an artistic and professional development initiative that supports the career development of a First Nations musician with a particular focus on jazz and improvised music.
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The AAO is thrilled to welcome award-winning Noongar woman and Naarm-based artist Bumpy as the third recipient of this program across 2023 and 2024.
This program is delivered in partnership with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival
ABOUT BUMPY:
Adopting her childhood nickname — adorned due to a knack for bumping into all kinds of obstacles - Bumpy’s deeply affecting music pulls from the strength found in tenderness, scars and all. Her stirring voice is transportive, arresting listeners with complex, intimate and multi-faceted truths of loss, joy and connection. Always honest, raw and purely captivating, Bumpy has performed to audiences around the country across festivals and events including: BIGSOUND, Strawberry Fields, Boogie Festival, Melbourne Music Week, Nannup Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Sun Cycle, St Kilda Festival, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Dreamtime at the MCG (2023), APRA Music Awards (2023) and more. 2022 saw Bumpy win the triple j Unearthed NIMAs Competition and play at the awards in Darwin, feature as a triple j Spotlight Artist and win the Uncle Archie Roach Foundation Award at the Music Victoria Awards. In 2023, Bumpy has appeared as a feature in the Rolling Stone, NME, NITV series and broadcast her new show ‘Pebbles’ at Triple R 102.7FM.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
Launched in 2021, the First Nations Artist Residency Program initiative includes a cash bursary to support the development of a new commission to premiere at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival in 2024, alongside a bursary towards artistic and professional development opportunities including attendance at the Australia Art Orchestra’s Creative Music Intensive.
AAO Artistic Director Aaron Choulai: “The Australian Art Orchestra is a tool that we use to celebrate artistic excellence while creating work that reflects the cultural and artistic diversity we have in our society. Since its inception in 1994, the AAO has made a commitment through commissions and collaboration to supporting our First Nations artists. In collaboration with The Melbourne International Jazz Festival, our First Nations Artist Residency is a part of our yearly program that not only allows us to keep our commitment, but is also a collaboration we are genuinely excited by and look forward to. This program allows us to connect and better understand the music, process, and cultural and artistic diversity of First Nations peoples. In turn, we offer musical expertise, professional development, and creative opportunities, resulting in a reciprocal relationship that produces works that are creatively fearless, ambitious and that hopefully, allow for all Australians to see themselves reflected in.”
The AAO is excited to welcome Bumpy as the third recipient of this program in 2023.
Previous Recipients:
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2022 Recipient - Brenda Gifford
Brenda is a classically trained pianist and saxophonist whose work and arts practice is informed by her Country, community and culture. A contemporary classical composer and Yuin woman, Brenda creates music for ensembles, orchestras, choirs, dance and theatre performances, festivals and concerts. Currently studying a Master of Music (Composition) in the Composing Women program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Brenda’s work has been commissioned and performed by the Canberra, Tasmania and Sydney Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Ensemble Offspring, Sydney Chamber Orchestra, Australian Art Orchestra and Sydney Dance Company.
Brenda says of the appointment: “I am excited to be a part of this program. It is a great opportunity to work with MIJF and the AAO to develop my composing skills.
I’ll be building on my work with the AAO from a recent Meeting Points concert, weaving in new ideas inspired by stories from my country. I’m also looking forward to playing some horn!
This program will provide me with a supportive and nurturing environment where I can push my contemporary classical music work to the next stage and extend my artistic collaboration foundations and connections.”
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2021 Recipient - Amos Roach
Amos Roach is an award-winning musician, dancer, director and proud Djab Wurrung/Gunditjmara and Ngarrindjeri man. Amos has been playing keyboard, guitar, bass and Yidaki since he was eight, and is acknowledged as one of Australia’s best Yidaki players. A cultural practitioner, traditional First Nations culture informs the fundamentals of his craft. Amos’ music is part of the songline that connects people and Country. He uses traditional instruments, songs, music and dance to tell stories of Songlines, Family and Country and aims to bring traditional instruments into the mainstream canon. As a musician, Amos has regularly performed with a host of bands and artists like Sandy Evans, Black Magic, No Fixed Address and with father, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter and the Roach Family Band. Amos also curates his own events showcasing First Nations performers, and is Director of dance troupe Murrundaya Yepengna.
Amos says: “To normalise the use of Traditional First Nations instruments in the general community adds to the sense of confidence to practice Culture openly and publicly. This is a profound shift in the dynamic between First Nations people and the general community, given the oppression and suppression of Cultural practices that has occurred here for so long.”
