Kutcha Edwards Takes Out 2016 Melbourne Music Prize

Decorated Australian musician Kutcha Edwards has claimed $80,000 in prizemoney at the Melbourne Prize For Music 2016 & Awards, recognising those creatives who have made an indelible contribution to the city's cultural fabric.

Edwards actually won two separate awards — the prestigious, main-event Melbourne Prize For Music, supported by The Vera Moore Foundation and worth $60,000, as well as the inaugural $20,000 Distinguished Musicians Fellowship, provided in partnership with the Victorian College Of The Arts and Melbourne Conservatorium Of Music. 

Edwards — a Mutti Mutti man and member of the Stolen Generations — began his musical career 25 years ago as part of the ensemble Watbalimba. He went solo in 2001, releasing his debut solo effort, Cooinda, the following year. He has released a further two albums, Hope (2007) and Blak & Blu (2012), and is a member of stalwart music-theatre group The Black Arm Band.

Other winners on the night include lauded musos Scott Tinkler — winner of the $30,000 Outstanding Musicians Award for his recent work Whale — as well as Kate Neal, who won the $25,000 Beleura Award for Composition with her piece Semaphore, and Matthias Schack-Arnott, winner of the $16,000 Development Award, bestowed each year to an emerging individual or group aged 30 or under.

"Kutcha Edwards’ commitment to his story and outstanding contribution to Australian music speaks for itself," the judges said of their decisions in a joint statement. "Scott Tinkler demonstrates a unique expression and a new musical language. Kate Neal’s multifaceted compositions create an audio-visual immersion. Matthias Schack-Arnott creates an evocative journey of distinctive musicianship.

"Each category recipient, and all finalists this year, are outstanding Victorian musicians of exceptional skill and talent."

An additional prize is yet to be announced in the form of the Civic Choice Award, a publicly voted category worth $4000 and supported by Readings. Voting is open now at the Melbourne Prize For Music's website, with the winner being announced on 25 November.

This year's Melbourne Prize For Music & Awards were judged by Music Victoria chief executive (and Australian Music Industry Network chair) Patrick Donovan, 2006 prizewinner and accomplished academic Professor Paul Grabowsky AO, all-round virtuoso Genevieve Lacey, veteran harpist Marshall McGuire, Bakehouse Studios and SLAM co-founder Helen Marcou and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's director of artistic planning, Ronald Vermeulen.