Bringing Gumbaynggirr language to the UK and Europe!!

Hi, my name is Luke. I am a musician and music teacher. I live in Gumbaynggirr country, a beautiful part of Australia in Northern NSW - About half way between Sydney and Brisbane.

I work with the inspiring Gumbaynggirr language teacher, songwriter and musician, Michael Jarrett.

We were recently invited to join friends as guests for some shows and performances in Italy. And we said yes! We decided if we were to go all that way, we would take a little time off work and spend the month exploring a little bit, sharing Gumbaynggirr language and songs in the northern lands; Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy.

This has been a short notice tour, with very little time to line paying gigs - we have friends and connections to help us explore jams and sessions and community events - and we will be following our ears as we travel as well.

The objectives are to go to places we have never been, to feel into the land as we do, and to share, sing and exchange culture everywhere we go.

We would love your support!

This journey is self-funded, and as people in our local community have found out what we are doing, there has been a rush of positive feedback and encouragement - It has made me realise, even more, how deeply people appreciate Micklo, as an inspired cultural leader and active community member - And also how people value the Gumbaynggirr language, and are excited at the thought that people from lands far away will be able to meet Micklo and experience this beautiful language.

We are inviting anyone who feels to be part of this journey to please do so.

Financial contributions will allow us to travel more easily in general, and give us some more options as we do. We have covered the basic fares to get us there and back, and worked out some accommodation so far. Certainly not a cheap place to travel around!

We will keep this GoFundMe open through July - If you are thinking of supporting, then sooner is probably the better!

The target of $8000 represents about half of our total estimated costs.

Offers of information, ideas and connections are also welcome.

We will give regular updates as we go, and record and film moments of inspiration as we cross the lands.

Below is the outline of where we will be and when - reach out if you have suggestions!

Our travels are for the whole of July;

Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland 1st to 7th

Dingle, South Western Ireland - 7th to 13th

Montelimar, France 13th to 15th

Turin, Italy 15th/16th

Bari / Ostuni, Sicily, Alkantara Fest, Italy - 17th to 31st

A bit about Michael Jarrett

Micklo is a greatly admired member of the community - Incredibly generous with his time, passionate about sharing, and highly committed to the well-being of his language and country. He has played a significant role in the revitalisation of Gumbaynggirr language over the past 25 years, and continues to do so, as educator and education coordinator, supervisor, advisor and mentor, and as an active representative, performer and ceremonial leader at countless events in Gumbaynggirr country.

Working Together

Micklo and I began musical collaborations in 2016, launching a regular class together in Bellingen. We combined and brought together Micklo’s teaching of Gumbaynggirr with a strong element of music and singing. This open class has been a rich creative space, leading to a growing repertoire of beautiful songs and the formation of performance groups, Gunganbu Singers, and the band Muya-wunba, both of which are led by Micklo and me.

Micklo sings and carries traditional Gumbaynggirr songs, and together we have performed many original compositions and translations from English.