The Australian Bite

Some music therapy to kick off the Bite’s Summer season

30 December 2010

Listen and download: MP3

This week we kick off a five week series of summer programs on the Australian Bite, starting with a conversation between Richard Aedy and Australia’s first indigenous music therapist, Getano Bann.

The many healing qualities of music

This week we meet Brisbane based singer, songwriter, storyteller and music therapist, Getano Bann, who has both Torres Strait Islander and Scottish heritage. A music therapist is a type of health care professional who uses music as a kind of therapy, to help improve the lives of people who are struggling with, for example, mental health issues, traumatic experiences, drug addiction, or even learning difficulties. For his part, Getano Bann works with kids in detention centres, on the streets, in drug and alcohol rehab and with refugees. And music has been his salvation, enabling him to enter university, even though he failed at school. He speaks to Richard Aedy from the ABC’s Life Matters program.

Music: (not in podcast)

Artist: Getano Bann

Tracks: Row Fisherman Row, Poinciana Grave & Mabel Bob’s Tree

Album: Inside Solwata (1999)