Jayson Gillham Returns to Australian Stages With ‘Keys to Life’
The national two-piano recital tour features the Australian debut of Iyad Sughayer.
Image Bruce Marshall
Internationally renowned pianist Jayson Gillham makes his Australian return this month with his new production Keys to Life.
The Australian-British pianist is bringing along his good friend Iyad Sughayer, a Palestinian-Jordanian pianist based in the UK who is making his Aussie debut, for a series of shows set to “bring 176 black and white keys to brilliant, colourful life in a program that is joyful and moving.”
The duo will perform a vibrant selection of works from acclaimed composers, including Mozart, Debussy, Ravel, Khachaturian, Arensky and Chabrier, alongside the world premiere of a new commission by Palestinian-Lebanese composer Houtaf Khoury.
The two hope to make a shared connection with their audience through music, bringing to life the beautiful magic of classical arrangements in intimate settings across the country.
“I have been looking forward to this tour for a long time,” says Gillham. “Iyad and I share a vision of what music can do, not just as a performance, but as an act of connection. To bring him to Australian audiences for the first time, in a program this rich and this alive, feels like exactly the kind of thing I want to be doing. I can't wait to experience it together with everyone.”
Sughayer adds, “Australia has always felt like a place I wanted to bring my music. To make my debut here alongside Jayson, with a program that means so much to both of us, is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. This music speaks to something we all share and I hope audiences feel that from the first note.”
Keys To Life commences in Melbourne at the Recital Centre on Sunday 19 July, followed by performances at Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane on Wednesday 22 July, Adelaide’s Elder Hall on Friday 24 July and Sydney’s City Recital Hall on Sunday 26 July.
Tickets are on sale now via jaysongillham.com.
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Both Gillham and Sughayer, who are great friends, have been hailed as two of the world’s most dynamic pianists.
Gillham was recognised as Limelight's 2024 Artist of the Year and described by Gramophone as a “storyteller”. He has released over 10 albums, with his most recent being 2025’s Chopin Etudes, and tours regularly across the globe.
Sughayer is equally as successful, having captivated audiences across Europe, the Middle East, Colombia and North America. He was awarded Classic FM's 2022 Rising Star and has released two critically acclaimed albums through BIS.
Catch Jayson Gillham and Iyad Sughayer performing at Elder Hall on Friday 24 July. Tickets on sale now at jaysongillham.com.
Jayson Gillham & Iyad Sughayer Keys To Life Australian Tour 2026
Sunday 19 July – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne, VIC
Wednesday 22 July – Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane, QLD
Friday 24 July – Elder Hall, Adelaide, SA
Sunday 26 July – City Recital Hall, Sydney, NSW
