The Wagilak speaking Yolngu aborigines of southeast Arnhem in Australia’s northern territories belong to one of the oldest surviving cultures on earth. Some of Australia’s first people, the tribe retains a strong, spiritually alive heritage distinguished not only by its transportive song compositions, but by painting, dance and storytelling traditions too.

Tonight, three of the tribe’s custodians – brothers Benjamin, David and Daniel Wilfred –in the shape of the Young Wagilak Group join forces with the Australian Art Orchestra, led by Melbourne-based pianist-composer-producer-director virtuoso, Paul Grabowsky. Together they transmit their intense ‘Crossing Roper Bar’ song cycle (or, in Wagilak, manikay), an often violent, visceral and wildly unpredictable brew of howled, arching vocal refrains, scratchy guitar, pulsing didgeridoo, stream-of-consciousness saxophone, scattergun drums and hammered, atonal piano improvisation. Much like Miles Davis’s electric landmark Bitches Brew, it is intoxicating music to lose yourself in. That said, it’s also music that speaks its own fierce language, collapsing cultural boundaries while fusing both ancient and modern sounds.

Prior to the performance, the collaboration is contextualised by an insightful interview, chaired by Radio 3’s Kevin Le Gendre, with Benjamin Wilfred and Paul Grabowsky. Wilfred speaks of his grandpa’s spirit, which visits him in dreams to impart melody lines. Judging by the way the brothers soar onstage, both vocally and instrumentally – Daniel’s didgeridoo work is breathtakingly virtuosic – one’s inclined to agree with Wilfred assertion that the spirit is in the room with us tonight.

Meanwhile, poignant video projections of the band’s sojourn with the tribe also reveal how this collaboration is much more than just simply a jazz project. It’s a personal and collective journey, which builds connections between people and societies, celebrating the vital beauty of ancient cultural traditions.

– Jamie Skey