Albert Dadon

Albert Dadon AM (Born 1957), lives in Melbourne, Australia

For the last 15 years Mr Dadon has devoted himself to not for profit community support activities and philanthropic activities. He continues to work tirelessly for the community in a range of activities covering international affairs, cultural activities within Australia and overseas exchange programs. In all of these activities, he has given selfless and wholehearted support and energy to ensure success.

Business and Community Activities

Current position: Executive Chairman of Ubertas Group – a private development company.

1991 to 1993 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, 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.

1994 to 1996, 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.

2001 - Chairman UIA Victoria.

2002 - Present, continuing his commitment to community service and innovative activities, Dadon founded in 2002 and then Chaired the Australian Israel Cultural Exchange (AICE), an organization launched through a Joint Declaration between the Australian and Israeli Governments. A Joint Declaration announcing and supporting the establishment of AICE by The Honourable 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. Mr. Dadon also publishes a quarterly magazine for AICE titled Rhapsody.

2003 to 2005, Chairman of the Melbourne Jazz Festival. He brought to Melbourne the “Umbria Jazz Festival” in 2005 which was named “Umbria Jazz Melbourne 05”. The Festival in 2005 attracted 135,000 visitors to the Festival under the Artistic Direction of Mr Carlo Pagnotta. The Festival is mainly funded by the Victorian Government through Victoria Major Event Company and Arts Victoria. In 2006 the organisation appointed Mr Dadon to become the new Director of the Festival and take the Artistic lead.

2006 - 2008 The appointment of Dadon as Artistc 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 10 venues in 112 concerts during its 10 days. Some of the artists who played at the Festival were: Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Gary Burton, McCoy Tyner to name but a few. [citation|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/new-jazz-festival-chief-promises-big-names/2006/09/14/1157827089276.html |title=New jazz festival chief promises big names |author=Andra Jackson |date= September 15 2006]

2003 - Present, Mr Dadon founded the Australian Jazz “Bell” Awards (named after Australian Legend and Patron of the event Graeme Bell, AO). Dadon is the Chairs the board of The Australian Jazz Awards Limited (a non for profit Arts organisation) that governs the Awards. The author of this article believes that the Bells are the only form of formal recognition system entirely devoted to the Jazz Art form in Australia. “The Bells” recognise the achievements of young and established Australian Jazz performers and composers. Since its inception, the organisation has grown in prestige. It has become a label of recognition among Australian jazz musicians.

Music

As well as the above, Albert Dadon is an accomplished jazz guitarist and composer. He has recorded 2 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, a Jazz legend in his own right.

References

Notes

General

* [http://www.AICEC.org Australia Israel Cultural Exchange Website]
* [http://www.Melbournejazz.com Melbourne Jazz Website]
* [http://www.aicec.org/rhapsody/ Rhapsody Magazine]
* [http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2007/070626_aice_film_fest.html AICE Formation]
* [http://www.jewishaustralia.com/aboriginalart.htm Mythology & Reality: Contemporary Australian Aboriginal Desert Art]
* [http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2002/fa177_02.html Australia and Israel Set Up Cultural Exchange]
* [http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/downloadhansard/pdf/Assembly/Autumn%202005/Assembly%20Extract%2026%20May%202005%20from%20Book%206.pdf Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]
* [http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/noms1994.asp 1994 Music Awards Nominations]
* [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/26/1093456726398.html?from=storyrhs Jazz's Global Ambitions]