Chris Tamwoy is an award winning First Nations Australian singer, songwriter and musician with both Eastern and Western Torres Strait Islander blood running through his veins.
His distinctive guitar-tap style and vibrant personality see him in high-demand for gigs across Australia, the USA, ongoing media appearances and documentary features. In 2016 national TV audiences watched Chris make his way through to the grand finals of Australia’s Got Talent, and 2018 saw him on TV weekly as a judge on All Together Now.
Having played some of Australia’s largest music festivals he often surprises crowds with sensational on-stage collaborations. He has represented proudly at high profile events such as Tourism Australia’s G’day USA Gala, Los Angeles and National Indigenous Music Awards where he was nominated 2016 Young Indigenous Musician of the Year. 2018 saw an inspired performance and Acknowledgement of Country and People at the Invictus Closing Ceremony, collaborating with Colin Hay, Aloe Blacc, Birds of Tokyo and many more talented musicians.
Chris Tamwoy’s debut EP Ngaw Laag ‘My Home’ in 2015 was well received earning him the prestigious honour of National NAIDOC Youth of the Year and Queensland Young Achiever of the Year Award in 2018. Over the last few years Chris has been recording his full album debut Reality Is, which features an inspiring collaboration with Christine Anu on traditional language song classic Kulba Yaday. ABC Music released Kulba Yaday as a single to national acclaim in May 2020, with Chris’ debut album Reality Is released by ABC Music in April 2021, garnering Chris praise from media and fans alike.
In 2021, Chris’ showcase instrumental composition Waves from his Reality Is album will make a special inclusion in the feature film Alick and Albert, supported by Screen QLD, Screen Australia and broadcaster STAN. Dubbed a ‘guitar virtuoso’, this humble young man’s music, personality and vibe are unforgettable.
Photo by Terry O'Hagan