{{Use Australian English|date=May 2026}} {{Short description|Indigenous Australian musician}} {{Redirect|Gurrumul}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu | image = Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu in Nov 2012.jpg | caption = Gurrumul in November 2012 | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1971|1|22}} | birth_place = Elcho Island, Northern Territory, Australia | origin = | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2017|07|25|1971|01|22}} | death_place = Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | genre = {{hlist|Folk|world}} | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|musician}} | instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|drums|keyboards|didgeridoo}} | years_active = 1986–2017 | label = Skinnyfish Music | past_member_of = {{hlist|Yothu Yindi|Saltwater Band}} | website = {{URL|http://www.gurrumul.com/}} }} '''Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu''' (22 January 1971 – 25 July 2017), commonly known as '''Gurrumul''' and also referred to since his death as '''Dr G. Yunupingu''',{{refn|group=note|Avoiding the use of a deceased person's first name is part of grieving practice among many Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.<ref name="McGrath">{{cite journal |last1=McGrath |first1=Pam |title=Australian findings on Aboriginal cultural practices associated with clothing, hair, possessions and use of name of deceased persons |journal=International Journal of Nursing Practice |date=2008 |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=57–66 |doi=10.1111/j.1440-172X.2007.00667.x |pmid=18190485 }}</ref> Use of the title "Dr" is based on the honorary doctorate conferred in 2012 by the University of Sydney.<ref>[http://sydney.edu.au/arms/archives/history/HonYunupingu.shtml Honorary awards : Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu], The University of Sydney. Last Updated: 17 February 2015. (Accessed 18 August 2017.)</ref> While most universities do not endorse the use of "Dr" as a title for holders of honorary doctorates, the use of the title helps distinguish between Gurrumul and his uncle Mandawuy Yunupingu who was often referred to after his death as "Mr Yunupingu".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bardon |first1=Jane |title=Dr G Yunupingu: Australia's most prominent Indigenous musician dies aged 46 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-26/dr-g-yunupingu:-world-famous-indigenous-musician-dies-aged-46/8743316 |access-date=20 June 2019 |agency=ABC News |date=26 July 2017}}</ref> This is also reflected in the obituary published in the ''New York Times'', which refers to him as both Dr and Mr Yunupingu.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/world/australia/yunupingu-singer-aborigine.html "Dr G. Yunupingu, Australian Aboriginal Singer, Dies at 46"], ''The New York Times'', Russell Goldman, 26 July 2017. (Accessed 18 August 2017) "Mr Yunupingu was awarded an honorary doctorate of music by the University of Sydney in 2012."</ref>}}<ref name="guardobit">{{cite news |title=Dr G Yunupingu obituary |date=26 July 2017 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/25/gurrumul-obituary |publisher=Guardian Australia |access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dr G Yunupingu: Australia's most prominent Indigenous musician dies aged 46 |date=26 July 2017 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-26/dr-g-yunupingu:-world-famous-indigenous-musician-dies-aged-46/8743316 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="The Australian">{{cite news |title=Singer Dr G. Yunupingu dies aged 46 |date=26 July 2017 |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/singer-dr-g-yunupingu-dies-aged-46/news-story/77d39661f693d7f3874731fd7ddb3db1 |publisher=The Australian |access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref> was a Yolŋu Aboriginal Australian musician.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|last1=Marshallsea|first1=Trevor|title=Dr G. Yunupingu: An exquisite singer who 'spoke to the soul'|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-40725153|access-date=26 July 2017|work=BBC|date=26 July 2017}}</ref> A multi-instrumentalist, he played drums, keyboards, guitar (a right-hand-strung guitar played left-handed) and didgeridoo, but is best known for the clarity of his singing voice. He sang stories of his land both in Yolŋu languages, such as Gaalpu, Gumatj, or Djambarrpuynu (related to Gumatj), and in English.<ref name="BBC"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/441/a-music.shtml|website=dB Magazine|title=Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunipingu|access-date=26 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213212424/http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/441/a-music.shtml|archive-date=13 February 2012|url-status=usurped}}</ref> He began his career as a member of Yothu Yindi and later Saltwater Band, and his solo career brought him wider acclaim;<ref name="BBC"/> he was the most commercially successful Aboriginal Australian musician at the time of his death.<ref name="BBC"/> As of 2020, it is estimated that Yunupingu has sold half a million records globally.<ref name="Decca">{{cite web|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/decca-australia-signs-gurrumul/|title=Decca Australia signs Gurrumul, new releases in pipeline |website=themusicnetwork|date=10 November 2020|access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref> Yunupingu has performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, US President Barack Obama, Prince Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark. He was one of only two Australian performers at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012. At the 2026 ARIA Music Awards he will be inducted in the ARIA Hall of Fame.<ref name="ARIA HoF">{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/awards/news/aria-announces-2026-hall-of-fame-inductees-for-landmark-40th-anniversary-celebration|title=ARIA Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees for Landmark 40th Anniversary Celebration |website=ARIA|date=May 2026|access-date=24 May 2026}}</ref>
==Life and career== ===1971–1989: Early life=== The first of four sons born to Ganyinurra (Daisy), of the Gumal clan, and Nyambi "Terry" Yunupingu, a Gumatj clansman,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hillman |first1=Robert |title=Gurrumul |date=1 August 2014 |publisher=HarperCollins Australia |isbn=978-1-74309-630-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=thjB0V4OkmgC |language=en |chapter=Chapter 2: Arrival}}</ref> Yunupingu was born blind in Galiwin'ku, Elcho Island, in 1971,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-40723676|date=26 July 2017|title=Australian indigenous singer Dr G. Yunupingu dies|work=BBC}}</ref> situated off the coast of Arnhem Land in northern Australia, about {{convert|530|km}} east of Darwin. When he was four years old, he taught himself how to play a toy piano and an accordion. A year later he began to play a guitar; despite being a left-hander, he played a right-handed guitar, holding it upside down, which he would continue to do throughout his career.<ref name="BBC"/> His friend, spokesperson, and collaborator Michael Hohnen described his early musical experiences as follows: "Gurrumul was educated by immersion, cultural immersion—from his aunties, parents and grandmothers, with love and lullabies; from his uncles, fathers and grandfathers through ceremony songs and storytelling, much of it through music. Throughout his childhood, he was built, given or bought tin cans, sticks, toy keyboards, piano accordions, nylon string guitars, and, later, clap sticks (''bilma'') and didgeridoos (''yidaki''). He learned foot stomping calling and whooping, vocalisations of traditional songs and their different sounds, and so much more."<ref name="musicaustralia">{{cite web|url=https://musicaustralia.org.au/publications/case-study-inspiring-stories-geoffrey-gurrumul-yunupingu/|title=Case Study: Inspiring Stories Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu|publisher=Music Australia|access-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108061721/https://musicaustralia.org.au/publications/case-study-inspiring-stories-geoffrey-gurrumul-yunupingu/|archive-date=8 November 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref> He later sang hymns in the mission choir and also enjoyed Western pop music, particularly Dire Straits, Cliff Richard, and Stevie Wonder.<ref name="guardobit"/> An adventurous child, he was taught how to play basketball and ride a push-bike around his community.<ref name="iht">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/world/asia/22iht-musician.html|title=Aboriginal musician astonishes Australian audiences|work=International Herald Tribune|date=22 April 2008|first=Tim|last=Johnston|access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref> He left school at the age of 12, having attended his local school, Shepherdson College, along with a brief stint at an institute in the Victorian city of Geelong for instruction in Braille, which did not interest him.<ref name="musicaustralia"/>
===1989–2017: Career=== [[File:Gurrumul Yunupingu @ Fremantle Park (17 4 2011) (5648205981).jpg|thumb|Gurrumul playing at the West Coast Blues & Roots Festival (2011)]]
In 1989, at the age of 18, Yunupingu joined Yothu Yindi as a multi-instrumentalist and backing vocalist, notably contributing to their 1991 album, ''Tribal Voice''. He left the group in 1995 to live full-time on Elcho Island and later co-founded and co-led the Saltwater Band, which was active from 1999 to 2009.<ref name="guardobit"/><ref name="BBC"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/geoffrey-gurrumul-yunupingu-s-legacy-why-his-music-didn-t-stop-20180411-p4z8xd.html|title=Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu's legacy: why his music didn't stop|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=14 April 2018|first=Samuel J.|last=Fell|access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120726191200/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/14231/20120727-0512/www.howlspace.com.au/en/yothuyindi/yothuyindi.htm |url=http://www.whiteroom.com.au/howlspace/en/yothuyindi/yothuyindi.htm |title=Yothu Yindi |publisher=HowlSpace |editor=Ed Nimmervoll |archive-date=26 July 2012 |access-date=22 January 2014 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> His first solo album, ''Gurrumul'', was released in 2008, debuting at No. 69 on the ARIA Charts and No. 1 on the independent chart.<ref>[http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=15323 National Indigenous Times – Issue 156] Gurrumul CDs to tap into UK {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023023721/http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=15323 |date=23 October 2008 }}</ref> ''Gurrumul'' peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA Charts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue1021.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20091004130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20091005-0000/issue1021.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 October 2009|title=The ARIA Report: Issue 1021|website=Trove}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The album was certified triple platinum.<ref name="BBC"/> Yunupingu's friend Michael Hohnen produced the album and was his translator, collaborator and confidant. Critics heaped praise on the singer, describing his voice as having "transcendental beauty". Elton John, Sting and Björk were among his fans. The money he made was largely shared with his family, following the Aboriginal tradition of sharing wealth.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jul/17/australia.culture|title=Aboriginal singer beats poverty and prejudice to top Australian charts|first=Barbara|last=McMahon|newspaper=The Guardian|date=17 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414074035/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jul/17/australia.culture|archive-date=14 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/gurrumul-rising-ng-20629418deedde39a5ffb8191497c9a8|title=Gurrumul rising|work=PerthNow|date=14 August 2019|first=Jay|last=Hanna|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref> He did not generally give interviews, instead relying on Hohnen to speak for him, following a Yolŋu custom that dictated that Yunupingu's role was only to sing, while his elders spoke publicly. In a 2009 interview with him and Hohnen, Yunupingu said that he was generally shy but more comfortable playing music, and went on to say: "I don't have much to say to people when I talk. That is for other Yolŋu. But I can play and sing and tell people things through my songs. We have an encyclopedia of stories ready to tell people, if they want to listen."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/worldfolkandjazz/5319246/Gurrumul-interview-the-mystical-heart-of-Australia.html|title=Gurrumul interview: the mystical heart of Australia|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=13 May 2009|first=Adam|last=Sweeting|author-link=Adam Sweeting|access-date=19 September 2020|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
In 2008 Yunupingu was nominated for four ARIA Awards,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=G&artist=Geoffrey%20Gurrumul%20Yunupingu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023004933/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=G&artist=Geoffrey%20Gurrumul%20Yunupingu|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 October 2008|title=ARIA Awards 2008 : History: Winners by Artist}}</ref> winning the awards for Best World Music Album<ref>[http://news.sbs.com.au/worldnewsaustralia/arnhem_land39s_gurrumul_wins_aria_award_558782 SBS news] Arnhem Land's Gurrumul wins ARIA award {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022161429/http://news.sbs.com.au/worldnewsaustralia/arnhem_land39s_gurrumul_wins_aria_award_558782 |date=22 October 2008 }}</ref> and Best Independent Release.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,24510481-5016432,00.html News.com.au] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021093421/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,24510481-5016432,00.html |date=21 October 2008 }} 2008 Aria Award Winners</ref> He also won three Deadlys, winning for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for ''Gurrumul'' and Single of the Year for "Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind)".<ref>[http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/10/10/8665_ntentertainment.html Northern Territory News]{{dead link|date=August 2012}} Gurrumul Deadly at Awards</ref>
In November 2009, Yunupingu was named Best New Independent Artist and his album, ''Gurrumul'', Best Independent Release and Best Independent Blues/Roots Release at the Australian Independent Record (AIR) Awards held at Melbourne's Corner Hotel.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Billboard.biz|title=Yunupingu Wins AIR Awards Triple|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3iebd6a39896504e50fda355ba222fdf10|date=25 November 2008|access-date=26 November 2008|archive-date=19 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719110252/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3iebd6a39896504e50fda355ba222fdf10|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009 a portrait of Yunupingu by Guy Maestri won Australia's major art prize, the Archibald Prize.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Art Gallery of New South Wales|title=Archibald Prize 09|url=http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/archibald/2009/28778/|date=8 February 2010|access-date=29 October 2012}}</ref>
He was again awarded the Australian Independent Record (AIR) Award for Best Independent Blues and Roots Album in 2011 for his album ''Rrakala''.<ref name="BBC"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ausindies.com.au/id-2011-awards.html|title=Official Home Of Australian Independent Music|website=ausindies.com.au}}</ref> At the ARIA Music Awards of 2011, he won Best World Music Album and performed "Warwu" featuring Missy Higgins on piano.<ref name="Condon">{{cite web | url = https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/music-reads/features/aria-awards-musical-highlights/11738898 | title = 7 Great Performances from the History of the ARIA Awards – Music Reads | last = Condon | first = Dan | publisher = Double J | date = 26 November 2019 | access-date = 24 December 2020 }}</ref> In 2019, Double J's Dan Condon described it as one of "7 great performances from the history of the ARIA Awards."<ref name="Condon"/>
In 2012, Yunupingu was one of the contributing vocalists on Gary Barlow's commemorative single "Sing" for Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee celebrations, which features artists from across the Commonwealth. He performed "Sing" live at the Diamond Jubilee Concert on 4 June 2012 together with many of the song's contributing artists.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Diamond Jubilee Official|url=http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/gary-barlow-and-andrew-lloyd-webber-create-diamond-jubilee-song|date=4 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008082000/http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/gary-barlow-and-andrew-lloyd-webber-create-diamond-jubilee-song|archive-date=8 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="BBC"/> In 2012, Yunupingu was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the University of Sydney.<ref name="BBC"/>
In 2013, Yunupingu joined Delta Goodrem for a special performance of "Bayini" on ''The Voice Australia''.<ref>{{Cite web| last = McCabe| first = Kathy| title = Delta to sing Gurrumul's indigenous anthem Bayini on The Voice tonight| work = Herald Sun| access-date = 2 June 2013| date = 27 May 2013| url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/television/delta-to-sing-gurrumul8217s-indigenous-anthem-bayini-on-the-voice-tonight/story-fni0cc2a-1226651585677}}</ref> In December 2013, Yunupingu released a live album, titled ''His Life and Music'', which was recorded in the Sydney Opera House and released through ABC Music. It was nominated for Australian Independent Record Labels Association and ARIA awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://shop.abc.net.au/products/gurrumul-his-life-and-music-cd |title=gurrumul-his-life-and-music-cd|publisher=ABC.net.au|date=December 2013|access-date=9 October 2014}}</ref> "Bayini" became the first track by an indigenous musician to reach the top five of the Australian charts.<ref name="BBC"/>
In 2015, Yunupingu toured the US.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://skinnyfishmusic.com.au/2015/03/gurrumul-announces-usa-tour-2015/|title=Gurrumul announces USA Tour 2015|publisher=www.skinnyfishmusic.com.au|access-date=11 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726100226/http://skinnyfishmusic.com.au/2015/03/gurrumul-announces-usa-tour-2015/|archive-date=26 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> He released his third studio album, ''The Gospel Album'', on 31 July 2015. It debuted at number 3 on the ARIA Charts. In October 2015, the album won Gurrumul's third ARIA Award for Best World Music Album.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/courtney-barnett-hermitude-tame-impala-lead-2015-aria-award-nominations/ |title=Courtney Barnett, Hermitude, Tame Impala Lead 2015 ARIA Award Nominations |publisher=musicfeeds.com.au |work=Nastassia Baroni |date=7 October 2015 |access-date=7 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010023455/http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/courtney-barnett-hermitude-tame-impala-lead-2015-aria-award-nominations/ |archive-date=10 October 2015 }}</ref>
In July 2016, Yunupingu featured on the A.B. Original track "Take Me Home".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/take-me-home-feat-geoffrey-gurrumul-yunupingu-single/1129151721|title=Take Me Home single|date=5 July 2016 |publisher=iTunes Australia|access-date=22 January 2019}}</ref>
===2017–present: Death and posthumous releases and recognition === Yunupingu died at the Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory, at about 5:00 pm on 25 July 2017, aged 46.<ref name="The Australian"/> He had lived with liver and kidney damage for many years due to hepatitis B which he had contracted in childhood.<ref name="BBC"/> On his death he was described as an important figure in fostering racial harmony and as a voice of Indigenous Australians.<ref name="BBC"/> He received tributes from the Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, fellow musician Peter Garrett, and Anna Reid, the dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.<ref name="BBC"/>
In April 2018, Yunupingu's fourth studio album, ''Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)'', was released. It was an album four years in the making and was completed by producer and arranger Michael Hohnen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.readings.com.au/review/djarimirri-by-gurrumul|title=Djarimirri by Gurrumul|publisher=Readings|date=26 March 2018|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=14 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414172738/https://www.readings.com.au/review/djarimirri-by-gurrumul|url-status=dead}}</ref> A documentary film titled ''Gurrumul'' was also released, which Luke Buckmaster reviewed, stating that "For Gurrumul fans, the film is obviously a must-see. For those unfamiliar, or vaguely familiar with his work, it's an even greater treat: they will be entertained, enthralled, perhaps in some small way changed."<ref>Luke Buckmaster, [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/feb/15/gurrumul-review-stirring-and-soulful-ode-to-australias-most-important-voice "Gurrumul review – stirring and soulful ode to Australia's most important voice"], ''The Guardian'', 15 February 2018.</ref> The album won four ARIA Music Awards at the 2018 ceremony; his daughter Jasmin accepted the award for Best Male Artist on his behalf.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2018/11/29/really-proud-gurrumul-claims-four-aria-awards-his-final-album|title='Really proud': Gurrumul claims four ARIA Awards for his final album|publisher=NITV|date=29 November 2018|first=Brooke|last=Fryer|access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>
In November 2020, Decca Records announced they had signed to the rights to Yunupingu's catalogue and future recordings, announcing forthcoming releases, including limited-edition vinyls, a box set and collaborations among a slate of projects.<ref name="Decca"/> In December 2020, Yunupingu was listed at number 33 in ''Rolling Stone Australia''{{'}}s "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time" issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/50-greatest-australian-artists-of-all-time-geoffrey-gurrumul-yunupingu-22662/ |title=50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time – number 33: Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu|author=Ziggy Ramo|website= Rolling Stone Australia|date= 8 February 2021|access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref>
In September 2021, Yunupingu's first anthology was released, entitled ''The Gurrumul Story''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/vinyl-gurrumul-gurrumul-story-the-vinyl-lp|title=The Gurrumul Story|website=JB Hi-Fi|access-date=7 August 2021}}</ref> In the same year, a species of frog from the Wessel Islands, Northern Territory, was named ''Uperoleia gurrumuli'' (Gurrumul's toadlet) in honour of Yunupingu.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Uperoleia gurrumuli Catullo and Keogh, 2021 {{!}} Amphibian Species of the World |url=https://amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org/Amphibia/Anura/Myobatrachoidea/Myobatrachidae/Uperoleia/Uperoleia-gurrumuli |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Uperoleia gurrumuli |url=https://www.frogid.net.au/frogs/uperoleia-gurramuli |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=www.frogid.net.au |language=en}}</ref>
On 8 November 2024, an album with the Prague Metropolitan Orchestra, conducted by Jan Chalupecky, titled ''Banbirrngu - The Orchestral Sessions'' was released. It will feature reworkings of some of his songs and features new arrangements by Australian composer Errkki Veltheim.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nit.com.au/25-09-2024/13902/posthumous-album-titled-banbirrngu-the-orchestral-sessions-announced-for-november-release|title=Gurrumul's 'Banbirrngu - The Orchestral Sessions' album announced for November release |website= National Indigenous Times|date= 25 September 2024|access-date= 25 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 September 2024 |title=The late, great Gurrumul's music is getting the classical treatment on a new posthumous album |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-25/gurrumul-posthumous-album-banbirrngu-the-orchestral-sessions/104390994?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR30fnXluE77rXOD4TjJ56IkwxaHnAcG2iNBtFDTt3ov6i2xwD0Sbfsau20_aem_DFQ0mFeclzY7bAgmFEWAkQ |access-date=30 September 2024 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>
Gurrumul is set to be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame<ref name =aria2026/> in a separate ceremony on 11 June 2026, as part of the 40th anniversary of the ARIA Awards.<ref>{{cite web | last=Newstead | first=Al | title=Kate Ceberano, Gurrumul, Spiderbait among 2026 ARIA Hall of Fame inductees | website=ABC News | date=2 May 2026 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-03/aria-hall-of-fame-2026-inductees-gurrumul-spiderbait-vika-linda/106632608 | access-date=17 May 2026}}</ref>
==Discography== {{see also|Yothu Yindi#Discography|Saltwater Band#Discography}}
===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="6"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications |- ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| AUS<br/><ref name="AUS">{{cite web |url= http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Gurrumul&cat=a |title=Discography Gurrumul |publisher= Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em; font-size:90%;"| BEL <br/>(FL)<br/><ref name=BEL>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Gurrumul|title=Discografie Gurrumul|publisher=Belgian Charts Portal. Hung Medien|access-date=26 March 2018|language=nl}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| FRA<br/><ref name="FRA">{{cite web|url=http://lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Gurrumul|title=Discographie Gurrumul|publisher=French Charts Portal. Hung Medien}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| GER<br/><ref name="GER">{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-1363743|title=Discographie Gurrumul|publisher=German Charts Portal. Hung Medien}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em; font-size:90%;"| NL<br/><ref name=NLD>{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Loreen|title=Discografie Gurrumul|publisher=Dutch Charts Portal. Hung Medien|access-date=26 March 2018|language=nl}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em; font-size:90%;"| SWI<br/><ref name=SWI>{{cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/artist/Loreen|title=Discographie Gurrumul|publisher=Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien|access-date=26 March 2018|language=de|format=To access, select "charts" tab}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''Gurrumul'' | * Released: February 2008 * Label: Skinnyfish Music (SFGU080201) * Formats: CD, digital download | 3 || 13 || 60 || 9 || 54 || 10 | * ARIA: 3× Platinum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.auALBUMaccreds2011.htm|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Albums|publisher=ARIA|access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref> * BPI: Silver<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award|title=Gurrumul, Gurrumul, Album - The BPI|website=BPI}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''Rrakala'' | * Released: 15 April 2011 * Label: Skinnyfish Music (SFGU110402) * Formats: CD, digital download | 3 || 85 || — || — || — || 34 | * ARIA: Platinum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesALBUMaccreds2012.htm|title= ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Albums|publisher=ARIA|access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''The Gospel Album'' | * Released: 31 July 2015 * Label: Skinnyfish Music (SFGU150803) * Formats: CD, digital download | 3 || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| ''Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)'' | * Released: 13 April 2018 * Label: Skinnyfish Music (SFGU180413) * Formats: CD, digital download | 1 || — || — || — || — || — | |- |align="center" colspan="15" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |}
===Live albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| AUS<br/><ref name="AUS"/> |- ! scope="row"| ''Live in Darwin, Australia'' | * Released: 16 July 2010 * Label: Dramatico / Skinnyfish Music (0063) * Formats: CD, digital download | — |- ! scope="row"| ''His Life and Music''<br> <small>(with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra)</small> | * Released: 6 December 2013 * Label: Universal / Skinnyfish Music (3764720) * Formats: CD, digital download | 48 |- ! scope="row"| ''Banbirrngu - The Orchestral Sessions'' | * Released: 8 November 2024 * Label: Decca (6801695) * Formats: CD, LP, streaming, digital download | — {{refn|group=note|''Banbirrngu - The Orchestral Sessions'' did not enter the ARIA top 100, but peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Classical Crossover chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdn.aria.com.au/pdfs/5B569C171035C83BED7DA7817CF962CC6D70121EE7F0FF2BBECF175804BC73E0/ARIA%20Classical_Crossover%20Albums%20Chart.pdf?seq=43|title= ARIA Classical Crossover Album Chart|website=ARIA|date=25 November 2024|access-date=13 December 2024}}</ref> }} |- |align="center" colspan="15" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |}
===Compilation albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| AUS<br/><ref name="AUS"/> |- ! scope="row"| ''The Gurrumul Story'' | * Released: 10 September 2021 * Label: Decca (3586209) * Formats: CD, LP, CD + DVD, streaming, digital download | 34<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/albums-chart/2021-10-11|title=ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=11 October 2021|access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> |}
==Awards and nominations== ===AIR Awards=== The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector. {{awards table}} |- | rowspan="3" | 2008<ref name="08noms">{{cite web|url=https://www.musicnsw.com/2008/11/2008-air-awards-nominees-announced/|title=2008 AIR Awards nominees announced |website=Music NSW|date=11 November 2008|access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="AIRwins">{{cite web |url=https://www.air.org.au/awards/history|title=History Wins|website=Australian Independent Record Labels Association|access-date=18 August 2020|archive-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310102536/https://www.air.org.au/awards/history|url-status=dead}}</ref> | himself | Best New Independent Album | {{won}} |- | rowspan="2" | ''Gurrumul'' | Best Independent Album | {{won}} |- | Best Independent Blues and Roots Album | {{won}} |- | 2011<ref name="AIRwins"/> | ''Rrakala'' | Best Independent Blues and Roots Album | {{won}} |- | 2014<ref name="AIRwins"/> | ''His Life and Music'' | Best Independent Classical Album | {{won}} |- | 2015 | ''The Gospel Album'' | Best Independent Blues and Roots Album | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="3" | 2019<ref>{{cite web|website=AIM|url=https://www.air.org.au/awards|title=AIR Awards:2019 AIR Awards Winners Announced!|access-date=27 August 2019|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827061527/https://www.air.org.au/awards|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rowspan="2" |''Djarimirri'' | Best Independent Album/EP | {{won}} |- | Best Independent Classical Album | {{nom}} |- | himself | Best Independent Artist | {{nom}} |- {{end}}
===APRA Awards=== The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".<ref name="APRAMusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |title=APRA History |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) |access-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920230857/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |archive-date=20 September 2010 }}</ref>
{{awards table}} |- | 1991 || "Treaty" by Yothu Yindi (co-written by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu) || Song of the Year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apraamcos.com.au/awards/1990-1999/1991-music-awards/|title=1991 Awards|website=apraamcos|date=11 August 2020|access-date=11 August 2020|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811125332/https://apraamcos.com.au/awards/1990-1999/1991-music-awards/|url-status=dead}}</ref> || {{won}} |- | 2009 || Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu || Breakthrough Song Writer<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2000-2010/2009-awards/music-awards/breakthrough-songwriter-of-the-year/|title=2009 Awards|website=apraamcos|date=11 August 2020|access-date=11 August 2020|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415122439/http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2000-2010/2009-awards/music-awards/breakthrough-songwriter-of-the-year/|url-status=dead}}</ref> || {{won}} |- | 2014 || "Bayini" by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (Rrawun D Maymuru) || Song of the Year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apraamcos.com.au/news/2014/april/2014-apra-song-of-the-year-shortlist-announced/|title=2014 Shortlist Announced Awards|website=apraamcos|date=11 August 2020|access-date=11 August 2020|archive-date=21 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421121952/http://apraamcos.com.au/news/2014/april/2014-apra-song-of-the-year-shortlist-announced/|url-status=dead}}</ref> || {{shortlisted}} |- {{end}}
===ARIA Music Awards=== The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Gurrumul has won 9 awards from 21 nominations.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.ariaawards.com.au/search?term=Gurrumul|title = ARIA Awards Search Results - Gurrumul|work = ARIA Awards|access-date = 21 October 2018}}</ref> {{awards table}} |- | rowspan="5"| 2008 | rowspan="4"| ''Gurrumul'' | Best Independent Release | {{won}} |- | Best World Music Album | {{won}} |- | Best Male Artist | {{nom}} |- | Album of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Michael Hohnen and Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu for ''Gurrumul'' | Producer of the Year | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="6"| 2011 | rowspan="5"| ''Rrakala'' | Best Independent Release | {{nom}} |- | Best World Music Album | {{won}} |- | Best Male Artist | {{nom}} |- | Album of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Best Cover Art | {{nom}} |- | "Gopuru" (directed by Carlo Santone) | Best Video | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="2"| 2014 | rowspan="2"| ''His Life and Music'' (with Sydney Symphony Orchestra) | Best Male Artist | {{nom}} |- | Best Original Soundtrack/Cast/Show Album | {{won}} |- | rowspan="1"| 2015 | rowspan="1"| ''The Gospel Album'' | Best World Music Album | {{won}} |- | rowspan="7"| 2018 | rowspan="5"| ''Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)'' | Album of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Best Male Artist | {{won}} |- | Best Independent Release | {{won}} |- | Best World Music Album | {{won}} |- | Best Cover Art | {{won}} |- | Michael Hohnen for ''Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)'' | Producer of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Ted Howard, Robin Mai & Matthew Cunliffe for ''Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)'' | Engineer of the Year | {{nom}} |- | 2025<ref name="ARIA 2025 Noms">{{cite web | url = https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-25/aria-award-nominations-2025-aria-nominees-full-list/105815074 | title = ARIA Award nominations 2025: Ninajirachi, Dom Dolla, Amyl & The Sniffers lead the pack | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) | access-date = 26 September 2025 }}</ref><ref name="ARIA 2025 Wins">{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/aria-awards-2025-winners-full-list/106028340|title= Amyl and The Sniffers and Ninajirachi lead the 2025 ARIA Awards winners list|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date= 19 November 2025|access-date=28 November 2025}}</ref> | ''Banbirrngu - The Orchestral Sessions'' | Best World Music Album | {{won}} |- | 2026<ref name =aria2026>{{cite web | last=Garrick | first=Matt | title=Gurrumul's ARIA Hall of Fame honour brings pride and reflection for family | website=ABC News | date=16 May 2026 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-17/gurrumul-enters-aria-hall-of-fame-10-years-after-death/106686418 | access-date=17 May 2026}}</ref> | Himself | ARIA Hall of Fame | Inducted |- {{end}}
===Australian Music Prize=== The Australian Music Prize (AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. The award commenced in 2005. {{awards table}} |- | 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.australianmusicprize.com/winners-shortlists|title=Winners & Shortlists|website=australian music prize|access-date=22 August 2020|archive-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729180503/https://www.australianmusicprize.com/winners-shortlists|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ''Rrakala'' | Australian Music Prize | {{nom}} |- | 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/gurrumul-wins-australian-music-prize-20190307-p512hm.html|title=gurrumul-wins-australian-music-prize|date=2018|access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref> | ''Djarimirri'' | Australian Music Prize | {{won}} |- {{end}}
===J Award=== The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005. {{awards table}} |- | 2018<ref name="2018winner">{{cite web|title = The J Award 2018|website = Triple J|url = https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/j-awards-2018/|publisher= Australian Broadcasting Corporation|year = 2018|access-date =15 August 2020}}</ref> | himself | Double J Artist of the Year | {{won}} {{end}}
===Helpmann Awards=== The Helpmann Awards is an awards show, celebrating live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group ''Live Performance Australia'' since 2001.<ref name=lpa>{{cite web | title=Events & Programs| website=Live Performance Australia | url=https://liveperformance.com.au/events-programs/ | access-date=4 October 2022}}</ref> Note: 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. {{awards table}} ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2009 | Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu | Helpmann Award for Best Australian Contemporary Concert | {{won}} | <ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/2009/past-nominees-and-winners/ | title= 2009 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners|publisher=Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA)|website=Helpmann Awards|access-date=8 October 2022}}</ref> |- {{end}}
===National Indigenous Music Awards=== The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. It commenced in 2004. {{awards table}} |- | 2005 | himself | Male Artist of the Year | {{won}} |- | rowspan="4"| 2008 | rowspan="2"| ''Gurrumul'' | Album of the Year | {{won}} |- | Cover Art of the Year | {{won}} |- | "Wiyathul" | Song of the Year | {{won}} |- | himself | Artist of the Year | {{won}} |- | rowspan="3"| 2009 | rowspan="1"| ''Gurrumul'' | Cover Art of the Year | {{won}} |- | Gurrumul Geoffrey Yunupingu – "Bapa" | DVD/ Film Clip of the Year | {{nom}} |- | himself | Artist of the Year | {{won}} |- | rowspan="2"| 2010 | rowspan="1"| "History" | Film Clip of the Year | {{won}} |- | himself | Artist of the Year | {{won}} |- | rowspan="6"| 2011 | rowspan="2"| ''Rrakala'' | Album of the Year | {{won}} |- | Cover Art of the Year | {{won}} |- | "Mala Rrakala" | rowspan="2"| Song of the year | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="2"| "Gathu Mawula" (featuring Blue King Brown) | {{won}} |- | Film Clip of the year | {{won}} |- | himself | Artist of the year | {{won}} |- | rowspan="3"| 2012 | rowspan="2"| "Bayini" (featuring Sarah Blasko) | Cover Art of the Year | {{won}} |- | Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | himself | Artist of the year | {{won}} |- | rowspan="4"| 2013 | himself | Special Recognition Award | {{won}} |- | himself | Artist of the Year | {{nom}} |- | "Bayini" (live) - with Delta Goodrem | rowspan="2"| Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | "A Baru in New York" - with Yolanda Be Cool | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="3"| 2014 | himself | Artist of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Album of the Year | ''His Life and Music'' (with Sydney Symphony Orchestra) | {{nom}} |- | Song of the Year | "Marilitja" | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="5"| 2016 | rowspan="2"| "The Children Came Back" Briggs and Dewayne Everettsmith (featuring Gurrumul) | Song of the Year | {{won}} |- | Film Clip of the Year | {{nom}} |- | himself | Artist of the year | {{won}} |- | rowspan="2"| ''The Gospel Album'' | Album of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Best Cover Art of the Year | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="3"| 2018 | ''Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)'' | Album of the Year | {{won}} |- | "Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)" | Song of the Year | {{won}} |- | himself | Artist of the year | {{won}} |- | 2022<ref name="HoF">{{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/gurrumul-2022-nima-hall-fame-inductee/SEdQWl1cX14/03-08-22|title=Gurrumul Is The 2022 NIMA Hall Of Fame Inductee|website=The Music|date=3 August 2022|access-date=3 August 2022}}</ref> | Gurrumul | Hall of Fame | {{yes2|inductee}} |- {{end}}
==Notes== {{reflist|group=note}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{commons category|Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu}} *[https://www.skinnyfishmusic.com.au/gurrumul Record company bio] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bawDFY8G-o4 Video of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu performing] at YouTube *[https://web.archive.org/web/20081023023657/http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=14673 National Indigenous Times – Issue 151] Yunupingu's voice creates waves throughout the world *[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/25/gurrumul-obituary Gurrumul obituary]
{{Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu}} {{ARIA Award for Best Male Artist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yunupingu, Geoffrey Gurrumul}} Category:1971 births Category:2017 deaths Category:APRA Award winners Category:ARIA Award winners Category:Australian male singers Category:Musicians from the Northern Territory Category:Blind folk musicians Category:Australian blind singers Category:Deaths from hepatitis in Australia Category:Didgeridoo players Category:Indigenous Australian musicians Category:Yolngu people Geoffrey Gurrumul