Open Air Performance ft Sam Maher, and Frank Yamma
The Quarter
Saturday 11 May, 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Free, All ages
Bus service available from Wickham and Roebourne
Come and enjoy the activity of the Karratha City Eats markets, grab some food and sit down to the smooth sounds of music on The Quarter grass.
Sam Maher Homeward
Sam Maher, a highly acclaimed Australian drummer and percussionist, has garnered worldwide recognition for his exceptional approach to the handpan. Embracing minimalism, pop structure, and electroacoustic influences, Sam’s self-taught journey has earned him a dedicated global fanbase.
A video of his emotionally evocative handpan improvisation in a New York City subway station catapulted him to international fame, touching the hearts of millions. From Europe to Asia and the Americas, Sam has taken his captivating music to diverse stages, leaving audiences spellbound with his performances and teachings.
Frank Yamma
Frank Yamma is one of Australia’s most significant Indigenous songwriters with an ability to cross cultural and musical boundaries. A Pitjantjatjara man, Frank sings in his native language and English.
His mighty songs, magical guitar playing, and deeply evocative voice tell stories of country, protection, heartache, travel and love. Although he’s lived in Adelaide for many years, Frank’s spirit belongs to the heart of Australia. Uluru. Docker River. Ernabella. Central Australia. As Frank says, “wherever the Pitjantjatjara mob come from”.
His albums, Countryman (2010) and Uncle (2014) released after a ten-year hiatus gained Yamma widespread critical acclaim and recognition leading to an opportunity to perform nationally and internationally.
Frank’s touring highlights include WOMADelaide, Byron Bay Bluesfest and Sydney Festival. He has undertaken three tours to Europe performing at the 2012 Cultural Olympiad (UK), WOMAD (UK); The New Hebridean Festival (Scotland), Festival Bled (Slovenia) and Colours of Ostrava (Czech Republic).
In 2014, Yamma was included in the official showcase for WOMEX, a spot that is rare and coveted amongst artists from Australia as well as internationally.
Frank released his debut vinyl record, Tjukurpa: The Story in Feb 2020. The record received widespread critical acclaim in Australia and internationally including an ARIA nomination for Best Blues & Roots Album and a five-star review in Songlines UK. The record is accompanied with a digital compilation of The Kulila Project which features contributions from long-time collaborators David Bridie and Phil Wales as well as remixes from CORIN, and EA Wave’s Jinku, Hiribae & Ukweli.
In 2024 Frank Yamma is performing at Yabun, WOMADelaide, Blue Mountains Folk Festival, Cobargo Folk Festival and Yackandandah Folk Festival.
Recent performances throughout 2022-2024 have led to standing ovations for Frank’s performances.