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Solo Monk@JJKALE2 · Jan 24, 2025

🧵I saw an Aboriginal aunty busking in Newtown last night. She plays the saxophone & it was special. I listened…

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Summary

The author encountered Aboriginal jazz saxophonist and activist Marlene Cummings busking in Newtown, Sydney, recognized her as a legendary artist, and was moved to tears by the meeting. The thread celebrates Cummings' cultural significance and encourages people to support her through busking and direct donations given her health challenges.

Summarized by ThreadOut AI from the full thread. May miss nuance — read the thread below.

  1. #1

    🧵I saw an Aboriginal aunty busking in Newtown last night. She plays the saxophone & it was special. I listened for 20mins, dropped $50 into her case & said "You remind me of Marlene Cummings, the great blues & Jazz artist from way back." She looked up, crying: "I am Marlene."

  2. #2

    I'm shaking too now. Marlene, in my opinion is one of Australia's great artist. She tells me that things have been hard but she's ecstatic that a bro from Fiji knew who she was. Now the tears are flowing. We get back to the car and I break down. I was overwhelmed with emotion.

  3. #3

    My wife says "I didn't know she was" I say "It seems as if no one does anymore". We both crying. If you see Auntie busking in Newtown wearing a Palestinian keffiyah - show her some love, shes a gift to us all. Now listen to this, Marlene is greatnees: youtube.com/watch?v=2iXQYe…

  4. #4

    Sista Marlene Cummings.

  5. #5

    Marlene Cummins - the bio. marlenecummins.com/bio

  6. #6

    Cummins is a jazz blues singer, saxophonist, songwriter, artist, activist, broadcaster, dancer, and actor. Many activists consider her to be Australia's Angela Davis. A founding member of the Australian Black Panther Party, which was inspired by the American Black Panther Party.

  7. #7

    Friends, I made contact with Marlene & she's not in the best of health. Many have asked how best to drop a little something in her busking bowl. I thank those who have already done so. Marlene has nominated direct payments to her PayID or her bank acct. Pls DM me for details.