Musica April 2024: Amos Roach

Amos Roach generously shared his strong cultural identity as a proud Djab Wurrung/Gunditj Mara and Ngarrindjeri man through music, song and dance. Amos issued a warm invitation to explore and engage with ancient songlines and connections to Country. He moved through his opening dance, the songs of his parents, Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach, his own compositions and his extraordinary Yidaki (Digeridoo) playing with a serious joy.

Amos Roach has spent time as an artist in residence with the Australian Arts Orchestra and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival where he met Thien Pham, a trumpet player and a James Morrison Scholarship winner. For some numbers they shared the stage and the trumpet swirled around the Yidaki to create a extraordinary combination of breath, vibration and sound.

Amos threaded stories of culture and family throughout the evening to create an intimate atmosphere of sharing and connection. His songs about his children, “Sunshine” and his brother “You be You” were spoke to the complicated strength of families.

Amos’ performance and his invitation to respectfully enter into a deeper understanding of culture and country are a generous gift.

Ruth Richter