Joseph Tawadros (born 1983) is an Australian virtuoso of the oud, a lute‑type string instrument prevalent in Middle Eastern music. He is also a composer, record producer, and educator who blends traditional Arabic music with jazz, classical, and contemporary influences.
Early life and education
Tawadros was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, to an Egyptian father and an Australian mother. He began studying the oud at age six under the guidance of his father, Egyptian oud master Joseph Tawadros Sr. He later pursued formal music education at the University of New South Wales, obtaining a Bachelor of Music (Performance) with a focus on oud and improvisation.
Career
Tawadros released his debut album, Storyteller, in 2002. Over the subsequent two decades, he has produced more than a dozen solo and collaborative albums, including Chameleons (2007), The Rhythm Of The Nile (2014), and Space for the Unbound (2021). His music incorporates elements of jazz, classical, world, and avant‑garde styles, often featuring collaborations with musicians such as pianist Randy Hall, violinist Nigel Kennedy, and vocalist John Legend.
In addition to his recording work, Tawadros has performed at major international festivals, including the Sydney Festival, the Dubai International Jazz Festival, and the Edinburgh International Festival. He frequently conducts workshops and masterclasses on the oud, improvisation, and cross‑cultural musical dialogue.
Awards and recognition
Tawadros has received multiple Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Awards for Best World Music Album, winning the award in 2010 (Betrayal), 2011 (Concerto of the Greater Sea), 2013 (Band of Brothers), 2015 (The Rhythm Of The Nile), 2019 (The Bluebird of Happiness), and 2022 (Out of the Shadows). He has also been honored with the Australian Music Prize nomination and the Qantas Outstanding Young Australian award in 2015.
Discography (selected)
- Storyteller (2002)
- Chameleons (2007)
- Betrayal (2009)
- Concerto of the Greater Sea (2011)
- Band of Brothers (2013)
- The Rhythm Of The Nile (2014)
- The Bluebird of Happiness (2019)
- Space for the Unbound (2021)
Teaching and outreach
Tawadros holds a faculty position at the Australian Institute of Music, where he teaches oud performance and improvisation. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at universities and cultural institutions worldwide, promoting the oud’s role in contemporary music.
Personal life
Joseph Tawadros resides in Sydney with his family and continues to tour internationally, recording new material and collaborating across diverse musical genres.
