Australia’s very own Oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros seems to be a kind of Renaissance man when it comes to recording. With the anticipation of each release there seems to be an air of surprise and mystery, his new release The Hour of Separation is no different. A musician of the highest calibre, Tawadros continues to tastefully push the boundaries of the Oud, discovering new musical territory through his extraordinary vision.

Partnering him on this special recording is one of the fathers of jazz guitar, John Abercrombie. Virtuoso bassist John Patitucci, a cornerstone of jazz double bass who is most notably known for his work with Chick Corea, and very Special Guest, Jack DeJohnette. Widely regarded as jazz music’s greatest drummer, Jack has performed with such legends as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Keith Jarrett to name a few. Also featured is the young percussion prodigy James Tawadros, the brother of Joseph already a world acclaimed Egyptian percussion master at the tender age of 21. An incredible line-up any way you look at it, and the envy of any jazz musician world wide.

Recorded at Avatar studios in New York, the album features 15 original compositions, 14 composed by Joseph, and 1 track, a duet between the young James and the legendary DeJohnette. It is a diverse recording which has a great depth of emotion and subtlety, as well as fiery virtuosity and energy. It is a real unique type of world music which seamlessly blends jazz with Egyptian influences into one idiom.

Born in Cairo in 1983, Joseph came to Australia at 2 years of age. By the age of 12 he was a seasoned concert performer, h at age 27 he has established himself as one of the world’s leading oud performers and composers. A virtuoso of amazing diversity and sensitivity, Joseph continues to appear in concert halls worldwide dazzling audiences with his brilliant technique, his passionate musicianship and his joyous style of performance. Joseph has performed with many celebrated artists such as Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, The Song Company, Ivry Gitlis, Camerata Salzburg, Slava Grigoryan, Zakir Hussain, Sultan Khan, Mamadou Diabate, Riley Lee, Katie Noonan, Lior and Neil Finn to name a few - always willing to push the boundaries and challenge traditional musical forms and rhythms. Joseph has been responsible for expanding the Oud’s notoriety in mainstream western culture and has also been recognized in the Arab world, recently being invited to appear on the judging panel of the Damascus International Oud competition in 2009.