Stephen Pigram is a renowned Indigenous musician from the pearling town of Broome, Western Australia. As a singer/songwriter he has been central to the continuation and development of Broome Creole music – the unique music style that draws on both the traditional Aboriginal music of Broome and the Dampier Peninsula and the many international cultures that have been a part of Broome culture.

As the quintessential musician Stephen performs vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, ukulele and dulcimer with his idiosyncratic and poetic lyrics reflecting Kimberley life, culture and politics.

Stephen and his brothers are part of the well-known folk/rock septet The Pigram Brothers. Stephen and his brother Alan Pigram were the first indigenous artists to be inducted into the West Australian Music Industry’s Hall of Fame. 

Bart has been playing guitar since the age of 10, inspired by his father Victor and uncle Danny, both members of the legendary Kimberley band Fitzroy Xpress. In 2020, he joined Fitzroy Xpress on lead guitar for their performance at the WA Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. A founding member of the Now or Never Boys, formed in 2003 while attending school in Fitzroy Crossing, Bart has performed across the Kimberley, including at the Derby Moonrise Festival, NAIDOC celebrations and community events, as well as touring in support of Fitzroy Xpress.

Dr Mary Rapp (she/her) is a multidisciplinary musician, composer, and sound designer whose work spans performance and research. A cellist, double bassist, and vocalist, she has performed nationally and internationally across jazz, classical, and contemporary art music with groups and artists including Ensemble Offspring, the Australian Art Orchestra, Courtney Act, Yirinda, Paul Kelly and Christine Anu. She has appeared at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and internationally in Europe, the US, and Asia. Her sound art and compositions have been commissioned by the Sydney Observatory, Haus der Kulturen der Welt (Berlin), and the Art Gallery of NSW, among others. Rapp’s debut album By One of the Night (2019) was hailed by the Sydney Morning Herald as a “stunning debut.” She is currently the Creative and Performance Forrest Research Fellow at WAAPA, Edith Cowan University, researching archaeoacoustics, sonic heritage, and composition using data-driven processes.

Carl Dewhurst is one of Australia's leading jazz guitarists and improvisers, renowned for his versatility across jazz, rock, pop, blues and world music. He has led numerous ensembles, including his own trio and quartet, Showa 44, and The Drip Hards, and has collaborated with a wide range of acclaimed Australian and international artists such as the Australian Art Orchestra, James Morrison, Bae Il Dong, Archie Roach, Vince Jones and Jade MacRae. His work extends to theatre and film composition, while his songwriting has been recorded by several artists. Carl is a lecturer in jazz and improvisation at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he helped develop the Bachelor of Music (Improvised Music), and has received major accolades including both the judges' and people's choice awards at the 1998 Ike Isaacs International Jazz Guitar Competition.

Talya Valenti is a jazz-trained drummer, well-known in Western Australia for her collaborations with many artists, across diverse genres. Talya has played drums for Methyl Ethel, Stella Donnelly, Costumbres Argentinas, Lucky Oceans and Maatakitj, and has toured nationally and internationally, having played festivals including Glastonbury (UK) and Fuji Rock (JPN). Talya has written and released original compositions with modern jazz projects, Turiya and Carlton/Macpherson/Pass/Valenti, and has also worked as a music educator for many years. She had the pleasure of playing for Stephen Pigram on the Songs for Freedom project and is looking forward to collaborating again with Stephen and his grandson Chase. Talya is endorsed by Zildjian cymbals and Ludwig drums.