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June 11, 2026

The Art of the Oud

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Joseph Tawadros. Photo by Anthony Lycett

Joseph Tawadros is a seven-time ARIA award-winning virtuoso oud player of great diversity and sensitivity. He is known for his brilliant technique, deep musicianship and joyous style of performance as well as his engaging rapport with the audience.

He returns to Australia for a season of solo concerts showcasing his beloved chosen instrument – the oud, an Arabic lute.

Born in Cairo, Joseph’s adventurous curiosity brings world music, jazz and classical music together seamlessly in the original works and traditional Arabic-inspired pieces he presents.

Joseph has recorded in New York with US jazz luminaries including John Abercrombie (with whom he toured), Christian McBride, John Patitucci, Jack de Johnette, Mike Stern and Roy Ayers.

Joseph has received 17 ARIA Award nominations and won 7 ARIAs, including ‘Best World Music Album’. 

He recorded Band of Brothers in 2011 with James Tawadros and the The Grigoryan Brothers.

He also recorded History has a Heartbeat in 2022 with acclaimed Yidaki (didj) artist William Barton which won them an ARIA.

Joseph has performed his own works with the Australian Chamber Orchestra; BBC Symphony; Melbourne, WA and Adelaide Symphony; Ukraine National Orchestra; Camerata Salzburg, and the Morphing Chamber Orchestra and his Concerto for Oud; Orchestra with the Sydney Symphony was performed and released by ABC Classics, Australia in 2019. 

He was also the first and only Australian composer to be performed by the Academy of Ancient Music in the United Kingdom.

2023 highlights include performing at the opening of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and the premiere of his new work The Three Stages of Hindsight with the prestigious Britten Sinfonia and a sell-out Australian tour with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in March. He is also one of the 50 Australian composers to be chosen to write a fanfare celebrating the Sydney Opera House’s 50th birthday. 

Joseph was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for services to music in 2016.

He will be performing solo on Friday 28 July at Byron Theatre: doors open 6.30pm, show starts 7.30pm.

Tickets available from Byron Theatre
www.byroncentre.com.au/theatre-events/joseph-tawadros. 

For more info contact [email protected].



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