Joseph Tawadros: a world of instrumentation

Egyptian-born, Sydney-based musician Joseph Tawadros was among the recipients of Australia Day honours.

Oud player Joseph Tawadros. Picture: Britta Campion

Egyptian-born, Sydney-based musician Joseph Tawadros was among the recipients of Australia Day honours, having been recognised for his contribution to Australian music.

The 32-year-old will be presented with his Order of Australia medal in a ceremony on April 8, one week before the release of his latest album World Music.

Tawadros, one of the world’s leading performers of the oud, has worked with a multitude of artists including Zakir Hussain, Katie Noonan, Neil Finn and Richard Tognetti and his collaborations have earned him three ARIA awards in the world music category.

This latest album highlights his broad musical talents as he plays 55 different instruments from around the world, among them the hulusi flute, cello, Cuban tres and accordion. Eleven tracks will also feature his brother, percussionist James Tawadros.

“It’s my attempt to transfer my energy and life into other instruments as well as my beloved oud,” Tawadros says. “Each piece is a soundtrack to a time and place, where ancient and modern worlds create a musical tapestry”. World Music will be released on April 14.