Joseph Tawadros

Joseph Tawadros (born 1983, Cairo, Egypt ) is an oud virtuoso from Australia. Joseph Tawadros was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1983. Immigrating to Australia in 1986, he brought with him a musical tradition inherited from his maternal grandfather, Mansi Habib (1920-1957), an active composer and an oud and violin virtuoso in Cairo. Joseph’s uncle, Yacoub Mansi Habib, is an active professional Egyptian musician and recognised as one of the pioneering figures in Egyptian trumpet playing, also influenced his musical interest immensely. Joseph was encouraged to explore the musical parameters of the oud and the traditional Egyptian taqasim, a performing style akin to improvisation. This, combined with tremendous talent, has resulted in Tawadros’ personal style being uniquely instinctive in his musics improvised content. In December 2001, Joseph returned to Egypt and began studying the Egyptian violin with the celebrated Egyptian violinist, Esawi Daghir. Daghir was so impressed by his talent that he decided to teach him pro bono and has taken special care with Joseph’s Egyptian violin education. Joseph also plays other Arabic traditional instruments including Nay (bamboo flute), Qanun (Arabic Zither) and Cello. Joseph has toured extensively in Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East and has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues with artists such as tabla master Zakir Hussain, sarangi master Sultan Khan, John Abercrombie, John Patitucci, Jack DeJohnette, James Tawadros, Camerata Salzburg, Richard Tognetti and The Australian Chamber Orchestra, Mali band Tinariwen, Slava Grigoryan, Leonard Grigoryan, Adel Salameh, Fathi Salama, Christian Lindberg, Neil Finn, Mark Isaacs, William Barton, Lior, The Song Company, Riley Lee, Karen Schaupp, Bobby Singh, Katie Noonan, James Crabb, amongst many others. In May 2006 Joseph graduated with a Bachelor of music with Honours from the University of NSW with a pioneering analysis on advanced techniques and applications in oud playing. In the same year Joseph was the youngest recipient of the very prestigious Freedman Fellowship for Classical Music- chosen from amongst Australia’s finest Classical musicians. Joseph has released 7 albums to date - Storyteller (ABC Classics - 2004) - ARIA award for the Best World Music album. Rouhani (ABC Classics -2005). Visions (JT2006). Epiphany (JT2007) and Angel (JT2008) which both were all nominated for an ARIA award for Best World Music Album in their respective years. 2009 saw the release of his solo oud album The Prophet - Music inspired by the poetry of Kahlil Gibran (JT 2009). His latest offering The Hour of Separation, (JT 2010/ENJA Records) collaborating with legendary jazz luminaries John Abercrombie, John Patitucci and Jack DeJohnette recorded in New York at Avatar studios. Joseph has also composed for film and theatre, most notably the documentaries The last days of Yasser Arafat, Haneen, I Remember 1948 and play The Gates of Egypt. Joseph also features on the Australian Feature film the Last ride, The Black Balloon and TV series East West 101. He has also completed compositions for animations with artist Michael Roseth. Joseph performs on a Joseph Tawadros Signature Series II Oud made by Veysel Sarikus of Istanbul. Short Bio: Joseph never ceases to amaze and at 26 has established himself as one the world’s leading oud performers and composers. A virtuoso of amazing diversity and sensitivity, Joseph continues to appear in concert halls worldwide dazzling audiences with his brilliant technique, his passionate musicianship and his joyous style of performance. Always willing to push the boundaries and challenge traditional musical forms and rhythms, his efforts have led him to many unique collaborations, and he has recorded 7 albums to date: Storyteller, Rouhani, Visions, Epiphany, Angel, The Prophet: Music Inspired by the Poetry of Kahlil Gibran and his latest offering, The Hour of Separation. A resident of Australia since 1986, Joseph has been responsible for expanding the Oud’s notoriety in mainstream western culture and has also been recognized in the Arab world; recently being invited to appear on the judging panel of the Damascus International Oud competition in 2009 and took part in Istanbul’s first Oud festival in 2010.