Joseph Tawadros AM Sets Whirlwind Australian National Tour

Oud virtuoso and composer Joseph Tawadros AM's decision to relocate to London has paid off with the talented musician securing a number of high profile partnerships and performance opportunities.

While in the UK and Europe Joseph has kept a full schedule of musical and cultural adventures, including concerts in: Manchester, the exquisite Lapwing Festival near Brighton, the unique Stift Music Festival, Netherlands and performances in Dusseldorf and Vienna. In London, Joseph has developed collaborations with Daniel Rowland (violin, Brodsky Quartet, festival director, musical innovator) and also with Jules Buckley (dynamic conductor, currently with Metropole Orkest). He's jammed with jazz, world and classical musicians and even joined US rockers Wheatus on stage in London for an oud-tinged rendition of their hit Teenage Dirtbag.

Two big projects in development for 2017 performances are a program of Tawadros compositions with the BBC Symphony Orchestra (March) and an Oud Concerto with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (May ).

The talented Joseph is back in Australia, albeit briefly for a national tour:

- Adelaide, Nexus Arts Centre, 17 September

- Sydney, Camelot Lounge, Marrickville, 18 September

- Melbourne, Arts Centre Melbourne, 23 September

- Wollongong, Town Hall, 24 September

- Newcastle, Unorthodox Church of Groove, 1 October

- Milton (NSW), Milton Theatre, 8 October

- Canberra, Street Theatre, 14 October

More information including ticket details is available at www.josephtawadros.com.

Joseph's latest album, World Music, continues to receive critical acclaim. Joseph's extraordinary musicality is on full display with the virtuoso playing an incredible 52 instruments to create a global landscape. Percussionist genius James Tawadros extends the compositions with skilful playing across 11 instruments.

"World Music is totally different to anything I've ever done before," Joseph says. "Each piece is a soundtrack to a time and place, where ancient and modern worlds create a musical tapestry. World Music is a journey across many lands with all its joys and sadness, loves and losses, hope and despair. A departure and a desire to return. Constrained by borders with dream of home always right in front of us, we reach for it no matter where we go. A soundtrack to the mind where music inspires imagination. Essentially, this is what binds us - that no matter where we're from, we are not so different."

Joseph performs on the Oud, Banjo, Bouzouki, Charango, Cuban Tres, Domra, Lute, Mandolin, Portugese Guitar, Sarod, Saz, Strum Stick, Tanbura, Tenor Ukelele, Ukelele, Nylon String Guitar, Steel String Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Oud, Prepared Oud, Violin, Electric Violin, Rababah Fiddle, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Acoustic Bass, Electric bass, Qanun, Celtic Harp, Nay, Hulusi Flute, Clarinet, Cornet, Trombone, Alto Saxophone, Accordion, Harmonica, Piano, Kalimba, Waterphone, Angklung, Clave, Chimes, Meditation Chimes, Tibetan Singing Bowl, Bowed Saw, Drum Kit, Children's Glock, Irish Whistle, Tenor Whistle and sings.

James Tawadros performs on the Req, Bendir, Cajon, Darrabuka, Tambourine, Angklung, Triangle, Chimes, Waterphone, and Indian Tabla with some Face Percussion for good measure.