Well know musician and founder of Sanguma, Soru (Tony) Subam, died on Christmas Day after a short illness.
Widely considered to be a founder of Papua New Guinea's contemporary music scene, Subam co-formed Sanguma in 1977, melding the PNG cultural traditions with western instrumentation. Headlining the South Pacific Arts Festival, they were the first PNG band to tour internationally.
Subam has been an inspiration to a whole generation of PNG musicians.
Widely considered to be a founder of Papua New Guinea's contemporary music scene, Subam co-formed Sanguma in 1977, melding the PNG cultural traditions with western instrumentation. Headlining the South Pacific Arts Festival, they were the first PNG band to tour internationally.
Subam has been an inspiration to a whole generation of PNG musicians.
Thank you Tony and Thank you Sanguma for the Music. My Generation was lucky to live through that Perid of history where your music and that of the Black Brothers made our day.
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I was privileged to discover the inspirational music of the Sanguma Band while living in Port Moresby. I first heard their music one Friday afternoon in November 1977, on an NBC program "University On Air" where some of the band members, including Tony, were interviewed and played live some of their music. The program advertised their graduation concert the next week which I attended. I was able to record most of the radio program and have place it on line here for anyone interested in hearing the beginning of Sanguma Band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYtbPE1Y5Do
ReplyDeleteI was at the Subam's haus krai (house of mourning) at the university last night and someone mentioned about this particular programme. I've posted on my Facebook and many young Papua New Guineans are going on to YouTube to listen to the programme.
ReplyDeleteTony has touched many people in PNG, the islands, and in many countries: through his music, and through who he was. He is missed.
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