About The Black Arm Band
The mission of The Black Arm Band is to perform, promote and celebrate contemporary Australian Indigenous music to the highest possible professional standard as a symbol of resilience and hope in the spirit and action of reconciliation. The long term vision for the Black Arm Band is as an on going organised presence — a national resource hub for the development and performance of Indigenous music in all its forms.
"...an uplifting experience that said more about black and white solidarity than a million parliamentary speeches." – West Australian
Partnering with The Fred Hollows Foundation for the 2009 Remote and Regional Tour, The Black Arm Band will work in nine remote and regional areas in Australia’s far north including performances and community development workshops. The Black Arm Band and The Fred Hollows Foundation have been invited to present the project locally by community leaders and aboriginal health organizations across these regions believing that contemporary Indigenous music captures an elusive, essential heart of Australia and in turn empowers these communities.
Other initiatives for 2009 including development of a new collaboration and an upcoming documentary film.
Band of the Year in the 2008 Deadly Awards, the Black Arm Band was created in 2006 to perform murundak, an extraordinary music and film event that celebrates Australian Indigenous music as an instrument of identity, resistance and resilience, and a call to freedom.
“This gathering of stars and styles was like listening to a gathering of Beaz, Dylan, Judy Collins, Eric Clapton and Odetta.” – The Age
Winner of the 2007 Helpmann Award for Best Contemporary Music Concert, murundak celebrated, consolidated and contextualised the work of many of the original creative pioneers of Aboriginal contemporary music.
Members of the Black Arm Band include, Archie Roach (‘Took the Children Away’), Bart Willoughby (‘We Have Survived' — No Fixed Address), Rachael Maza Long (actress, SBS presenter), Shane Howard (‘Solid Rock’) and Lou Bennett (Tiddas). These artists, black and white, share a cultural space through music, reconciling difference and exploring what connects us, rather than divides us, across cultural and historical boundaries.
"The Black Arm Band reminds me of the long struggle and the long journey we’ve been on. 30 years ago we were marching for justice down the city streets, but now we’re telling our stories in the concert halls". – Archie Roach, The Black Arm Band
The Black Arm Band is an Arts House special project.
