Joining these incredible artists will be one of Australia’s finest Indigenous singer/songwriters Emma Donovan. MuraWakay (meaning “One Voice’’ in the Kalaw Lagaw Ya language from the Torres Strait Islands) is a 90 minute contemporary cultural performance, showcasing traditional song with contemporary classic hits and anthems Australia identify as ‘their own’.
This fine cast will perform songs in languages from Aboriginal Australia, Fiji, Africa, Spain and more.
Mura Wakay (meaning “One Voice” in the Kalaw Lagaw Ya language from the Torres Strait Islands) is a 90 minute contemporary cultural performance, showcasing traditional songs with contemporary classic hits and anthems Australia identify as ‘their own’.
MuraWakay Are:
DENI HINES is without a doubt considered one of Australia’s foremost entertainers. From hit singles and albums, to lead roles in musicals & television, Hines has grown up in front of audiences from an enthusiastic young performer to a mature, sophisticated all round entertainer.
Hines has sold over 1.3 million albums, received an ARIA Award, topped the Charts in France and Japan and Top 10 chart positions in Australia and the UK with her hits such as Aint No Sunshine, That Word Love, It’s Alright, I’m Not In Love, I Like The Way and many more.
Hines has hosted her own music show Soul Kitchen on Channel V, appeared in numerous TV light entertainment programs and lead roles in musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Big River and Dusty The Original Diva. Hines has penned songs for the likes of Beyonce Knowles and her songs have appeared in films such as Luc Beeson’s Taxi, The Wogboy and The Strip. In 2007, Hines recorded a stunningly successful Jazz classics album, The Other Woman with maestro James Morrison and more recently made her film debut in Bruce Beresford’s forthcoming cinema release Mao’s Last Dancer.
MELINDA SCHNEIDER has been a leading light of the ‘new-breed’ of Australia Country artists both in Australia and the US.
In a career which began with a stage debut at the age of three, (appearing with her mother, the Legendary Mary Schneider) Schneider has kept her family tradition alive by becoming one of Australia’s most sublime singers and popular live performers.
But it is through her assured and accomplished song writing that she has really discovered her true voice. Five albums and eight years on, she has won numerous awards, including six CMAA Golden Guitars and APRA Song Of The Year. Schneider’s songs have been recorded by artists as diverse as John Farnham, Billy Thorpe, Jimmy Little, Olivia Newton-John and Paul Kelly.
2008 brought with it an exciting new phase in Schneider’s career, the launch of her independent record label, Be Music. Schneider released her fifth studio album Be Yourself on July 5th 2008 which earned her second ARIA nomination for Best Country Album.
PAULINI is one of Australia’s most promising performers and vocalists of current times.
Paulini has won twoARIA#1 Chart Awards, been nominated for an ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single for Angel Eyes and won two Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards through her work with YoungDivas. Paulini has also become a household name via her television work, appearing in It Takes Two and Celebrity Overhaul. She has toured Australia with Young Divas and as a support act on national tours with the likes of Guy Sebastian, Tina Arena and Human Nature. Along with Guy Sebastian and Damien Leith, Paulini recently showcased her music on the world stage, performing live at World Youth Day 2008 celebrations.
With multiple double Platinum albums and singles under this soul diva’s belt, multi-award-winning pop/soul music sensation Paulini is presently in the studio preparing for her most anticipated third solo album release. This Fijian born singer’s unmatched vocal ability has won the hearts of the nation along with her warm and down-to-earth personality - a true ambassador of female solidarity, youth and strength.
EMMA DONOVAN has established herself as one of Australia’s finest Indigenous singer/songwriters. With the inclusion of her own traditional language, Gumbayngirr in her songs, she is committed to educating the global community about the depth of Aboriginal culture and spirituality.
Her vast concert experiences include performances in The Royal Concert Hall London, Musee de Quai Branli Paris, Benaki Museum Athens, Tjibaou Cultural Centre New Caledonia, 10th Festival of Pacific Arts Palau, Treaty Grounds of Waitangi New Zealand to the Concert Hall in the Sydney Opera House.
Donovan’s current release entitled Ngarraanga (Remember) or Ngarraanga Ngiinundi Yuludarra (Remember Your Dreaming) is her tribute to the Stolen Generations. The songs include traditional language and are intercepted with spoken word by Uncle Harry Buchanan. The video features the extraordinary talent of Torres Strait Islander dancer Albert David inter-woven with archival footage.
Donovan departs mid February to perform for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver with the Black Arm Band. Her new single changes is released on February 5th and will be supported by Commercial Radio Networks rights across Australia.
And By Special Request:
CHRISTINE ANU is arguably Australia’s most successful indigenous performer and one of Australia’s most popular recording artiste, backed by an award-winning repertoire spanning across music, theatre, dance, film, television and children’s entertainment.
Her illustrious career over two decades boasts of platinum albums, sell-out musicals, Hollywood blockbusters, and high-profiled collaborations with showbiz and musical luminaries such as Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge), Paul Kelly and David Atkins. Four solo albums later, Christine pulls out all the stops with the formation of Stylin Up Entertainment, a collective focused on developing and producing new media brands that are proudly Australian. This spawned a new genre of children’s entertainment branded as Chrissy’s Island Family, adding more ARIA and Deadly nominations to her many other achievements. Stylin Up Entertainment is also the home to Ladies of Jazz and Women of Soul.
