Torres Strait Islander singer-songwriter Henry 'Seaman' Dan has been nominated for a 2009 ARIA Award for the Best World Music Album for his CD 'Sailing Home'.

It was co-produced by Karl Neuenfeldt, Associate Professor in the School of Humanities and Communication at the CQUniversity Bundaberg Campus. As well as being a co-producer, Karl is an instrumentalist (guitar and ukulele) and songwriter who is also active as a music researcher... 
Seaman Dan foreground

Karl teaches courses in media, social sciences and indigenous studies and has written many publications revolving around indigenous/Torres Straight islander music. 'Seaman' Dan won an ARIA Award in 2004 for 'Perfect Pearl' and was nominated in 2006 for 'Island Way'. He has also been awarded the prestigious Red Ochre Award by the Australia Council for the Arts (2005) and has recently performed for Prime Minister Rudd and international delegates at the Pacific Leaders Forum and also at the inaugural Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair. 

The former pearl diver turned musical star has also taken out the "Jimmy Little Achievement Award" at the recent "Deadlies", celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievements in entertainment in Australia.

The 2009 Aria Awards will be held on Thursday November 26^th 2009 - a live telecast will be shown on the Nine Network - tune in to hear results.

Photo by Sarah Scragg, State Library of Queensland (L-R: Seaman Dan, Will Kepa, Karl Neuenfeldt)