Musician Seaman Grant Rowsell’s musical journey began when he was eight years old, after his dad gave him a didgeridoo and encouraged him to express himself through music.
Now, Seaman Rowsell is not only the first person to join the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Band as a didgeridoo player, he is among the first of three First Nations members to represent the RAN on the global stage in the United States.
He recently returned from New York, where he performed with two other didgeridoo players in a fusion with a handpicked Navy rock band.
The group visited the ‘Big Apple’ to participate in the US Navy’s International Naval Review 250, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“I am deeply honoured to be working with and alongside such well-rounded and beautiful musicians,” Seaman Rowsell said.
“We have been so well received in New York.”
Seaman Rowsell grew up by Sydney’s southern beaches, spending his time diving, fishing and rock climbing, playing the didgeridoo and working various jobs.
‘I want to ensure this unique cultural tradition continues to grow within the RAN Band for generations to come.’
He had a close relationship with his dad, who always supported him.
“Dad showed me the power of self-reliance and respect for culture, as well as the wonder for other cultures and what they have to offer through different eyes,” Seaman Rowsell said.
Seaman Rowsell joined the RAN in August 2024 after representing Australia at an Australian Embassy gala event in Hanoi, Vietnam.
“I got to perform with a jazz trio at the embassy gala event,” he said.
“The experience inspired me to combine my passion for music with service.
“I was lucky enough to perform at the Outback Centre in Sydney, where I learnt styles from Far North Queensland and East Arnhem Land, while developing my own contemporary approach.”
As a member of RAN Band Western Australia, Seaman Rowsell’s role involves Indigenous cultural performance in naval ceremonies and with the rock band.
So far, his career highlights include returning to Vietnam, and travelling to New Zealand to perform in a welcome ceremony with a local Iwi and participate in the first freedom-of-entry parade there in more than five years.
Some of Seaman Rowsell’s proudest Navy moments so far include performing for the commissioning of the new offshore patrol vessels HMA Ships Arafura and Eyre, and participating in this year’s Anzac Day ceremony at Fremantle’s Monument Hill.
“Being involved in smoking ceremonies and seeing the men and women who will be protecting us were particularly special experiences,” he said.
‘But what I enjoy most is representing both Navy and Indigenous Australia through music.’
Navy has given Seaman Rowsell opportunities to represent Australia, share Indigenous culture internationally and perform at significant events he would never have experienced elsewhere.
“I continue to develop as a musician by collaborating with talented musicians across different genres and cultures,” he said.
“But what I enjoy most is representing both Navy and Indigenous Australia through music.
“I look forward to continuing to strengthen the connection between Defence, culture and community throughout my career.”
Seaman Rowsell is also passionate about seeing the didgeridoo and yidaki (its Yolŋu name) become a more recognised and respected instrument within contemporary military and ceremonial music.
“I want to demonstrate the yidaki’s versatility beyond traditional settings, while honouring its cultural significance,” he said.
He hopes to help establish a structured proficiency and mentoring program within the RAN Band.
“I feel I have a duty to enable future Indigenous cultural performer members entering Defence to learn, develop and carry forward the knowledge and performance of the yidaki,” he said.
“I want to ensure this unique cultural tradition continues to grow within the RAN Band for generations to come.”
