You haven’t heard of Geoffrey?

I was having a conversation with a relatively well informed political advisor when the topic of music came up. To my shock they hadn’t heard of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, which was odd given their position. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in text books, policy and our own little world and forget that even in the most serious of issues there are answers to be found in the arts and music.

Blind from birth, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is a powerhouse of musical creativity. Geoffrey, or Gudjuk as he is also called, is from the Gumatj nation, his mother from the Galpu nation both First Nations peoples from North East Arnhemland. A former member of Yothu Yindi, now with Saltwater Band, Gurrumul’s solo excursions highlight his amazing talent as a singer, songwriter and musician. His beautiful voice will never leave you as he sings the songs of his Gumatj country