Vocalists Daniel Wilfred and Sunny Kim form the heart of Hand to Earth, which has quickly developed an international reputation as one of Australia’s most distinctive contemporary music ensembles. The quintet’s self titled debut album has won international praise and was nominated for an ARIA award in 2022 with international performances including at the iconic Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin.
Daniel sings in language, and is the keeper of Yolngu Manikay (songs) from North East Arnhem Land that can be traced back for over 40,000 years. His is the oldest continuously practised music tradition in the world. Sunny sings in English and Korean intoning gestures that invoke raw elemental forces. Together they sing of the stars, of fire, and of the cooling rain against the drone of David Wilfred’s didgeridoo and atmospheres created by trumpeter and sound artist, Peter Knight, and clarinetist Aviva Endean who draw on the minimalism of Brian Eno and Jon Hassell to create a bed for these beautifully contrasting voices.
“While many contemporary projects strive to combine ancient and modern influences, this innovative and ethereal musical alliance actually achieves that lofty goal – with old cultural ground being respected, while new artistic ground is broken. Hand to Earth is a truly exquisite album. “
* * * * * Songlines UK
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NOMINATED for 2022 ARIA Award for Best World Music Album
NOMINATED for Songlines UK Top of the World 2022
NOMINATED for AMC Art Music Awards 2022 Best Jazz Album
Hand to Earth self titled debut release available in vinyl, CD & digital formats from AAO Recordings
CONCERTS 2024
May 29th - Kelvin Club Melbourne in conversation with James Hewison, Daniel Wilfred, and David Wilfred 6-8 TICKETS
June 14th - Jersey City Theatre Centre New York - Hand to Earth TICKETS
June 15th - Lincoln Centre New York - Hand to Earth THE CROW (US premiere) in partnership with Jazztopad Festival DETAILS
June 16th - Public Records Brooklyn - Hamid Drake and Hand to Earth for Jazztopad Festival
June 19th - Suoni Per Il Popolo Montreal with Hand to Earth THE CROW DETAILS
June 22nd - Ottawa Jazz Festival with Hand to Earth THE CROW DETAILS
June 26th - Vancouver Jazz Festival with Hand to Earth THE CROW DETAILS
CONCERTS 2023
November 23 - Bimhuis Amsterdam
November 22 - ArtEZ University Arnhem Netherlands
November 21 - Nijmegen Netherlands for Music Meeting at Lindenberg Cultuurhuis
November 19 - Jazztopad, Living Room Concerts: Meredith Bates' Like The Mind x Hand to Earth
November 18 - Jazztopad Festival Wroclaw, Poland 'The Crow' EUROPEAN PREMIERE
November 16 - Luxembourg Philharmonie Rainy Days Festival
Sept 21st - 23rd 2023 Jeonju International Sori Festival, Korea
September 24 Banjul Art Space Seoul
October 28 - The Substation, Melbourne International Jazz Festival with Amalia Umeda (POL), The Crow, WORLD PREMIERE
June 11th 2023 Vivid Sydney Carriageworks for Soft Centre TICKETS
June 7th 2023 Rising Melbourne The Forum TICKETS
June 4th 2023 The Bridge Hotel Castlemaine VIC 3pm
April 8th 2023 Four Winds Festival Bermagui NSW
CONCERTS 2022
August 21st 2022 Darwin Festival
August 22 - September 10 Tour of remote outback Northern Territory produced by Artback
June 10th & 11th 2022 Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin
March 12th & 14th 2022 WOMADelaide
May 21 2021 Canberra International Music Festival
Hand to Earth was originally produced by the Australian Art Orchestra.
Images Ingo J. Biermann
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