His first oud cost 100 dollars and an iron. On Monday, 9 November, the eight-time ARIA Award winner brings the instrument that became his voice to the New England Conservatorium of Music in Armidale.
Dr Tawadros, who holds a Doctorate in Music from UNSW and is a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), is known for his technique, storytelling, and joyous style, often mixing his music with chatter and jokes.
“A lot of it’s going to be solo, but it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said oud virtuoso and composer Joseph Tawadros.
“And of course, I do a bit of the rambling.”
“Some people just come for the rambling. Some people come for the music.”
The Cairo-born, now London-based oud virtuoso is back in Australia this November for a series of solo shows, along with a new album recorded with the late jazz great Jack DeJohnette.
His oud story began when he was 10.
“I was very keen about Egypt and the oud and music, and it was a link to my heritage,” Dr Tawadros said.
His father found a second-hand oud through a family friend at Glebe Markets.
“It was 100 bucks and an iron. The guy needed an iron, so it was like, ‘Hey, get me an iron and 100 bucks,'” he said.
“It’s a good investment, I think.”
The oud is an Arabic lute and the ancestor of the European lute and the modern guitar.
“It’s a very warm sound,” Dr Tawadros said.
“It’s similar to the flamenco guitar in a way, and actually that’s where it has its origins.”
“It went to Spain in the ninth century and spread around Europe and became the lute.”
“It’s a very historically significant instrument and one that’s become my voice.”
His new album, Conversations with Jack, brings together his oud, the drumming of Jack DeJohnette, the kora of Yacouba Sissoko, and his brother James Tawadros on percussion.
DeJohnette, who played with Miles Davis, died about a year ago. The album, recorded before his death, is among his final recorded collaborations.
“It’s a real tribute album to a great man,” Dr Tawadros said.
“And it mixes jazz with this instrument here, the oud.”
Dr Tawadros performs in concert halls around the world, as a soloist, in a duo with his brother, with jazz and world music artists, and with chamber ensembles and symphony orchestras.
He said the real reward was audiences connecting with music from a tradition they might not know.
“Throughout the years, I’ve been able to create my own music and have people not from that background connect with the music,” he said.
“I think that’s the most important thing, when you connect on an emotional level.”
“I don’t compose music to a certain region or a certain nationality. I’m composing to people’s emotions and my emotions actually, and hopefully people resonate with that.”
Joseph Tawadros plays the New England Conservatorium of Music, Armidale, on Monday, 9 November at 7.30pm.
“It’s great to be back in Australia, my home, where I was brought up,” Dr Tawadros said.
Something going on in your part of the New England people should know about? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@netimes.com.au