Isaac Yamma

Isaac Yamma (1940 – January 1990), also spelt Yama, was a country singer from Central Australia. He is the father of Frank Yamma.

Isaac Yamma
Isaac Yama outside Ininti Store, Uluru, NT, Australia, in 1983
Background information
Also known as	Isaac Yama
Born	1940 Kaltukatjara, Northern Territory, Australia
Died	January 1990
Genres	Country
Occupation	Musician
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar
Labels	CAAMA Records

Early life

Isaac Yamma was a Pitjantjatjara man who was born by a waterhole near Docker River (Kaltukatjara) in 1940.

Career

Yamma started his musical career as a member of Areyonga Desert Tigers.

He later performed with his band the Pitjantjatjara Country Band, a band made up of his sons Hector, Frank, Peter, and Paul, and his cousin Russell Yamma. His song were mostly sung in Pitjantjatjara.

He was also a radio host on CAAMA Radio 8KIN FM.

Death

Yamma died in January 1990.

Discography

Albums

• Isaac Yama and the Pitjantjatjara Country Band (1987) – CAAMA
• Isaac Yama and the Pitjantjatjara Country Band No.2 (1987) – CAAMA

Compilations

• Papal Concert, Alice Springs (1982) – Imparja
• Desert Songs 1 (1982) – CAAMA
• Desert Songs 2 (1983) – CAAMA
• From the Bush (1990) – CAAMA
• AIDS: How Could I Know (1989) – CAAMA
• 25th Anniversary Compilation 2 (2006) – CAAMA

References

• Walker, Clinton (2000). "Country Man". Buried Country: The Story of Aboriginal Country Music. Pluto Press. pp. 230–243. ISBN 1-86403-152-2.
• Toohey, Paul (1996). "The Story of Isaac". God's Little Acre. Sydney: Duffy & Snellgrove. ISBN 1-875989-09-9.
• Breen, Marcus (1989). Our Place Our Music. Aboriginal Studies Press. ISBN 0-85575-197-5.

External links

• Isaac Yama and the Pitjantjatjara Country Band No. 2, 1987 (cassette cover)