iDIDJ Australia Didgeridoo Cultural Hub

Hi Guys

just being trying to find any details about the life and times of the departed Mr Cameron I would like to find out more about the man himself and all I can find from a google search are his instruments for sale. I especially want to know why he was regarded so highly as a maker ie from Djalu's point of view made instruments for Yothu Yindi, from Blansies point of view playing with white cockatoo and Rolf Harris etc so what made Mr Cameron so famous/infomus?

Also what would be the volume of instruments he made was it very high or just a select few and when did he pass away?

also was he regarded so highly when he was with us and any footage of him anywhere or pictures etc

Ambrose Cameron's renown as a craftsman was amongst his own people. Both Djalu's and Blanasi's popularity in the Western world can be attributed partly to the associations with Yothu Yindi and Rolf Harris respectively, however, as with Ambrose Cameron, they are regarded as great craftsmen because they make/made wonderful instruments.

He died about 3 years ago.

hes white or black?

Stockie,

There are many craftsmen and players in Arnhemland who have great reputations among their own people, but are virtually unknown outside of their immediate spheres of influence. About all that I know of Ambrose Cameron is that he was Rembarrnga and died in 2005.

Jason

Thanks Kyle a fountain of Knowledge as per usual strange how I cant find anything about him on the web no pictures nothing also is it right that Bob Burrel is his brother or is that in aboriginal terms rather than direct blood relative?

Hi Pedro he was Aboriginal and made wicked sticks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzI57ufH9C8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KXd7l5pThg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAWVc7G9r70

dont know who the bloke in the last clip is but HMMMMM looks like he might be from the east end of london nah what I mean guvner

Dont you think that thats kinda cool a sence of imortality like painters and great musicians that sadly you may not be recognised for your work during your lifetime but you get huge when you slip the mortal coil.

and was he as popular before 2005 then as well or is it since 2005?

that's interesting thank you!

I think I've answered your question Stockie yes?

He did make very very nice mago, that's true. He didn't really have a big following I guess because not many people knew about him. There were only a small number of us buying and collecting his instruments as there hasn't really been much interest in mago until recent years. But back then Gori in Japan bought some sticks, Kyle did too, I had a select few from the 1990s and continued to collect his better work from 2000 onwards.

I suppose mago back then is like wuyimbal now. There's a bit of a time-lag in terms of initial introduction of a word or concept, or type of instrument, to public consciousness, and the uptake of that new thing. I'd say Ambrose Cameron is better know today compared to his year of death, but then again, the same could be said of David Blanasi. We don't know what we have and how lucky we are to be blessed with the presence and artistry of Indigenous creators until they are gone.

Guan

thanks guan and also for the ambrose mago. it is still my best instrument!

Hi Guan

You mentioned the style of stick from CAL called wuyimbal i believe from your post above how is this prononced fanetically and is there a style of playing these types of sticks the way that there is for WAL and NEAL? do yuou have any examples of this you could post on here?

you can see exampls of wuyimbal from guan on his youtube clips. you never seen yet?? i check everyday, ok, i am little bit crazy but thats why i love the youtube and also this forum, i learn sooo much everyday! again i must thank you to guan to make this possible, it is a dream. i try wuyimbal style but i am not so good sorry. when i am better i put my video here!!