Just imagine the music of Australia’s First Nations musicians blended with a little bit of swing and a little bit of soul – that’s what you get when a talent like Adam James leans into his indigenous heritage.
The Quandamooka Crooner, as he has come to be known, was awarded an Arts Queensland grant in 2023 to reimagine a Great First Nations Songbook with a jazz theme. On Saturday, that project will come to fruition when the Queensland-born recording artist presents a world-first performance at the Redland Performing Arts Centre.
It’s fitting that The Great First Nations Song Book: A Night of Swing and Soul is being presented in the Brisbane bayside suburb of Cleveland, for Adam’s journey began just across the water in Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
Continuing his musical journey in rural New South Wales and Queensland eventually led him to prestigious stages and the blues scene in Nashville, USA. Hard to categorise as an artist, Adam James has crafted a sound that is distinctly his own. Making his debut in the country music scene, he subsequently expanded his repertoire to embrace blues and jazz. His third studio album, Russian Blue, marked a significant evolution, showcasing him as a sophisticated storyteller and an indigenous artist.
A singer, songwriter, and dynamic live performer, he has earned acclaim on both large festival stages and in intimate venues, captivating audiences with his melodious voice and effortless charm. Receiving a grant from Arts Queensland’s First Nations Commissioning Fund grant enabled him to solidify his transition into a new musical realm.
The October 19 concert at the Redland Performing Arts Centre will showcase the rich history of songmen and women through a 13-piece orchestral performance of everything from country to pop to ska to rock and roll. The show features hits made popular by Australia’s First Nations musicians, reimagined with the electrifying flair of 1960s big band music.
Celebration of First Nations song
“Although First Nations songlines are 60,000+ years old, the concert is a celebration of First Nations song from the last 60 years,” said the singer.
“Australia’s very first pop star was the legendary Yorta Yorta singer, Jimmy Little. In the 1960s, a dapper young Jimmy Little rocketed to an international No.1 on the Top of The Pops with his hit single, Royal Telephone. The concert opens with this legendary song, and closes with Treaty by the incomparable Yothu Yindi.”
In between is a musical journey underlined by swing and soul and covering First Nations music makers like Troy Cassar-Daley, Coloured Stone, Dan Sultan, Pirra, Ruby Hunter, Archie Roach and Busby Marou, among others. Between songs, Adam tells stories, promising a truly memorable experience.
The music provides a unique glimpse into the heart of Adam’s creative journey as he brings the best of Blak Australian music to new audiences, new beats and new heights. “It’s a celebration of heritage, harmony, and Dreamtime Swing,” he said.
What? The Great First Nations Song Book: A Night of Swing and Soul
When? Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 7.30pm
Where? Redland Performing Arts Centre, 2-16 Middle Street, Cleveland
Tickets available at www.rpac.com.au
