1.Growing Up
I was born in Cairo, but I grew up in Australia in a very musical household. My parents loved traditional Egyptian and Arabic music so I grew up listening to that.
2.Inspirations
I love listening to Umm Kulthum, one of the most famous Arabic singers. Her songs are engaging and some of the first I learnt on the oud. Mohamed Abdel Wahab, one of the most famous composers from the Arab world, comes in second.
3.Your Band
I only work with performers who are great humans and who can kick my butt as musicians. First of all, I love playing with James Tawadros, who I’ve been performing with for 15 years. He’s a world-class percussionist and one of the greatest riq players in the world. Matt McMahon, our pianist, is an artist of great sensitivity and musicianship and Karl Dunnicliff is one solid bass player who has the ability to shift moods and funk it up. Musical ability aside, all these guys are awesome to deal with and its always fun and high energy on stage.
4.The Music You Make
I’ve released 13 albums to date, my latest being World Music, a two-handed album recorded with James Tawadros – we play 63 instruments between us. With live shows there’s always a lot of energy. There’s fast and exciting pieces and slow and reflective pieces, and I think there’s something emotionally for everyone. I also like telling jokes and stories onstage and like to include the audience in the joy we share onstage performing with each other.
5.Music, Right Here, Right Now
Music is fine in Sydney – we have a great wealth of awesome musicians here, and for me the musicians make the scene. In terms of success, well, that all depends on how hard that musician works and what they have to offer. For me, it’s not about fame or fortune, but writing and presenting music that means something to me. It’s being in touch with other humans. The more in touch I am, the more the music resonates. I’ve been blessed with a loyal audience who I appreciate and love very much.There’re some great venues in Sydney, but I’ve built a good relationship with Camelot and they seem to have a good and eclectic lineup.
Global Rhythms Music Festival, featuringThe Joseph Tawadros Quartet,happensSunday September 25 atBicentennial Park, Glebe.
