Djaambi

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Djaambi was an urban rock band formed in 1989 in Melbourne, Australia. They united Aboriginal and white musicians, with Richard Frankland on lead vocals and saxophone. The group’s lineup was flexible, sometimes featuring up to 15 performers. The name djaambi means “brother” in an Aboriginal language.

They released a self-titled album in 1990 and later supported Prince on his Australian tour in 1992. A documentary about the band, Beating About the Bush, came out in 1993. It followed their travels from Alice Springs to Aboriginal communities and Darwin, and showed how some members didn’t always want filming. Frankland, who also made films, had the band play music for three of his productions.

Over the years, Djaambi included members such as Amy Saunders, Sally Dastey, and Lou Bennett (who later formed the folk group Tiddas in 1991), plus Peter Rotumah on bass (who had been with Hard Times and later joined the Black Arm Band). Other players included Peter Pascotto (drums), Peter Camm (guitar), Dean Hilson (sax), Eugene Ball (trumpet), Allyson Walker (vocals), Julia Messenger (vocals), Sonny Cooper and Paul Wright (didgeridoo and dance), and Francis Cleary (audio and production). Bennett later recalled that the lineup varied a lot depending on who could bring a didgeridoo or dance.

Bennett, Dastey, and Saunders later became part of the Black Arm Band. From 1995 to 1996, Frankland began a solo career and released Down Three Waterholes Road in 1997.