Albert Dadon
Encyclopedia
Albert Dadon AM
(born 1957) is an Australian businessman, philanthropist and musician. He was born in France
of Moroccan
-Jewish
background, and lives in Melbourne
, Australia
. He is prominent in promoting cultural and business links between Australia and Israel
. For the last 15 years Dadon has devoted a great deal of his free time to not for profit community support activities and philanthropic activities. He undertakes a range of activities covering international affairs, Zionism
, political activism and cultural activities within Australia and overseas exchange programs. He is Executive Chairman of Ubertas Group, a diversified funds management and property development company.
From 1991 to 1993 Dadon was Chairman of the French Chamber of Commerce
in Australia (Victorian Chapter). Established “Le Concours des Vins du Victoria” which is one of the most sought after wine competition in Australia. It has continued to be a success since he initiated this in 1991. During his time as Chairman, he worked towards bringing closer the French and Australian business communities, enhance business opportunities between the two countries in a period somewhat difficult diplomatically between the Australia and France.
From 1994 to 1996, he was Director of the Australia French Foundation, an appointment made by Senator Gareth Evans
, the then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia. This Foundation was initiated by the then Prime Minister
, Bob Hawke
as a gift to France for the Bicentennial of the French Revolution
.
In 2001 Dadon was Chairman of the United Israel Appeal in Victoria
. He founded in 2002 and then Chaired the Australian Israel Cultural Exchange, an organization launched through a Joint Declaration between the Australian and Israeli Governments. A Joint Declaration announcing and supporting the establishment of AICE by Alexander Downer
MP, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Binyamin Netanyahu MK, Israeli Minister for Foreign Affairs, took place simultaneously in Parliament House, Canberra
and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem. It was the first time that such a Joint Declaration has been made between the two countries. Dadon also publishes a quarterly magazine for AICE titled Rhapsody.
From 2003 to 2005 Dadon was Chairman of the Melbourne Jazz Festival
. In 2005 he brought to Melbourne the Umbria
Jazz
Festival, which was named “Umbria Jazz Melbourne 05”. The Festival in 2005 attracted 135,000 visitors under the Artistic Direction of Carlo Pagnotta. The Festival is mainly funded by the Victorian Government through Victoria Major Event Company and Arts Victoria. In 2006 the organisation appointed Dadon to become the new Director of the Festival and take the Artistic lead.
The appointment of Dadon as Artistic Director resulted in a change of name of the Festival to Melbourne Jazz and the 2007 edition of the Festival enjoyed the presence of more than 200 artists from the world around, performing in ten venues in 112 concerts during its ten days. Some of the artists who played at the Festival were Herbie Hancock
, Chick Corea
, Gary Burton
and McCoy Tyner
.
In 2003 Dadon founded the Australian Jazz “Bell” Awards (named after Australian Legend and Patron of the event Graeme Bell
, AO). Dadon chairs the board of The Australian Jazz Awards Limited (a non for profit arts organisation) that governs the Awards. The Bells are the only form of formal recognition system entirely devoted to the Jazz Art form in Australia. They recognise the achievements of young and established Australian Jazz performers and composers.
In 2008 Dadon received an Order of Australia
(AM) for service to the arts, particularly through the Melbourne Jazz Festival, to the community through philanthropic support for cultural and charitable organisations, and to business.
Under his stage name "Albare", Dadon is an accomplished jazz guitarist
and composer
. He has recorded two albums with Festival Records in Australia and produced A History of Standard Time, Joe Chindamo
’s first solo recording and featuring the late Ray Brown
. His latest albums are Midnight Blues (2007), After the Rain (2009) and Travel Diary (2010). Dadon is currently signed to Canadian American Records, an independent Canadian record label managed by Joey Welz.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 1957) is an Australian businessman, philanthropist and musician. He was born in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
of Moroccan
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
-Jewish
background, and lives in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. He is prominent in promoting cultural and business links between Australia and Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. For the last 15 years Dadon has devoted a great deal of his free time to not for profit community support activities and philanthropic activities. He undertakes a range of activities covering international affairs, Zionism
Zionism
Zionism is a Jewish political movement that, in its broadest sense, has supported the self-determination of the Jewish people in a sovereign Jewish national homeland. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Zionist movement continues primarily to advocate on behalf of the Jewish state...
, political activism and cultural activities within Australia and overseas exchange programs. He is Executive Chairman of Ubertas Group, a diversified funds management and property development company.
From 1991 to 1993 Dadon was Chairman of the French Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
in Australia (Victorian Chapter). Established “Le Concours des Vins du Victoria” which is one of the most sought after wine competition in Australia. It has continued to be a success since he initiated this in 1991. During his time as Chairman, he worked towards bringing closer the French and Australian business communities, enhance business opportunities between the two countries in a period somewhat difficult diplomatically between the Australia and France.
From 1994 to 1996, he was Director of the Australia French Foundation, an appointment made by Senator Gareth Evans
Gareth Evans
Gareth Evans may refer to:* Gareth Evans , philosopher at Oxford University and student of Michael Dummett* Gareth Evans , former Australian politician and former head of the International Crisis Group...
, the then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia. This Foundation was initiated by the then Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
, Bob Hawke
Bob Hawke
Robert James Lee "Bob" Hawke AC GCL was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia from March 1983 to December 1991 and therefore longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister....
as a gift to France for the Bicentennial of the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
.
In 2001 Dadon was Chairman of the United Israel Appeal in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. He founded in 2002 and then Chaired the Australian Israel Cultural Exchange, an organization launched through a Joint Declaration between the Australian and Israeli Governments. A Joint Declaration announcing and supporting the establishment of AICE by Alexander Downer
Alexander Downer
Alexander John Gosse Downer is a former Australian Liberal Party politician who was Foreign Minister of Australia from March 1996 to December 2007, the longest-serving in Australian history...
MP, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Binyamin Netanyahu MK, Israeli Minister for Foreign Affairs, took place simultaneously in Parliament House, Canberra
Parliament House, Canberra
Parliament House is the meeting facility of the Parliament of Australia located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. The building was designed by Mitchell/Giurgola Architects and opened on 1988 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia...
and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem. It was the first time that such a Joint Declaration has been made between the two countries. Dadon also publishes a quarterly magazine for AICE titled Rhapsody.
From 2003 to 2005 Dadon was Chairman of the Melbourne Jazz Festival
Melbourne Jazz Festival
The Melbourne International Jazz Festival is an annual jazz music festival held in Melbourne, Australia from 4 - 13 June 2011.-History:The Melbourne International Jazz Festival was first held in 1998....
. In 2005 he brought to Melbourne the Umbria
Umbria
Umbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St...
Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
Festival, which was named “Umbria Jazz Melbourne 05”. The Festival in 2005 attracted 135,000 visitors under the Artistic Direction of Carlo Pagnotta. The Festival is mainly funded by the Victorian Government through Victoria Major Event Company and Arts Victoria. In 2006 the organisation appointed Dadon to become the new Director of the Festival and take the Artistic lead.
The appointment of Dadon as Artistic Director resulted in a change of name of the Festival to Melbourne Jazz and the 2007 edition of the Festival enjoyed the presence of more than 200 artists from the world around, performing in ten venues in 112 concerts during its ten days. Some of the artists who played at the Festival were Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock
Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
, Chick Corea
Chick Corea
Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, and composer.Many of his compositions are considered jazz standards. As a member of Miles Davis' band in the 1960s, he participated in the birth of the electric jazz fusion movement. In the 1970s he formed Return to Forever...
, Gary Burton
Gary Burton
Gary Burton is an American jazz vibraphonist.A true original on the vibraphone, Burton developed a pianistic style of four-mallet technique as an alternative to the usual two-mallets. This approach caused Burton to be heralded as an innovator and his sound and technique are widely imitated...
and McCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner is a jazz pianist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet and a long solo career.-Early life:...
.
In 2003 Dadon founded the Australian Jazz “Bell” Awards (named after Australian Legend and Patron of the event Graeme Bell
Graeme Bell
Graeme Emerson Bell AO MBE is an Australian Dixieland and classical jazz pianist, composer and band leader...
, AO). Dadon chairs the board of The Australian Jazz Awards Limited (a non for profit arts organisation) that governs the Awards. The Bells are the only form of formal recognition system entirely devoted to the Jazz Art form in Australia. They recognise the achievements of young and established Australian Jazz performers and composers.
In 2008 Dadon received an Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AM) for service to the arts, particularly through the Melbourne Jazz Festival, to the community through philanthropic support for cultural and charitable organisations, and to business.
Under his stage name "Albare", Dadon is an accomplished jazz guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. He has recorded two albums with Festival Records in Australia and produced A History of Standard Time, Joe Chindamo
Joe Chindamo
Joe Chindamo is an Australian pianist and composer residing in Melbourne. In 2009, "Something Will Come to Light" , written by Chindamo, won the 'Jazz Work of the Year' at the Australasian Performing Right Association Awards, his "Moments and Eternities" was also nominated.His music has been used...
’s first solo recording and featuring the late Ray Brown
Ray Brown (musician)
Raymond Matthews Brown was an American jazz double bassist.-Biography:Ray Brown was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and had piano lessons from the age of eight. After noticing how many pianists attended his high school, he thought of taking up the trombone, but was unable to afford one...
. His latest albums are Midnight Blues (2007), After the Rain (2009) and Travel Diary (2010). Dadon is currently signed to Canadian American Records, an independent Canadian record label managed by Joey Welz.