ALLAN ZAVOD

Often described as a keyboard wizard Dr Allan Zavod a graduate of Melbourne Conservatorium was discovered by Duke Ellington who after hearing him playing jazz piano arranged for him to study at Berklee School of Music where he later held a post as professor of music. Based in the USA for 30 years he played, recorded and toured with many international music greats including Glen Miller Orchestra and Woody Herman Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson Big Band, Cab Calloway, violinist Jean Luc-Ponty and George Benson, culminating in a 1984 world tour with the legendary Frank Zappa. Zavod was named one of the top 10 keyboard players of the 80'S in the USA. and is presently on the internet catalogue of 'top 100 keyboard players of all time', listed as no 32 and the only Australian. Wanting to spread his wings after so long on the road with big bands he began film composing, writing over 30 films scores for U.S. and Australian films including a Walt Disney feature and a score with famed guitarist Eric Clapton. He went on to become a pioneer in the Classical-Jazz Fusion genre after his 1988 debut as composer and performer of "Concerto Australiana" (original classical/jazz fusion three movement composition) at the Sydney Opera House with the Australian Youth Orchestra for the Bicentennial Australia Day televised nationally on ABC T.V.

In 2009 The University of Melbourne awarded him the Doctor of Music for his international contribution in the field of Classical Jazz Fusion, only one of 5 recipients with an earned Doctorate for composition in the 150 year history of the University.

Allan has now written concertos for Australian artists such as James Morrison, Slava Grigoryan, Diana Doherty and symphonic works for American, European, Asian and Australian Symphony Orchestras. His works have represented Australia and have been performed for Royalty and Heads of State ,The Sydney Olympics, The Centenary of the Nobel Peace Prize for the Red Cross, and in New Orleans to commemorate Hurricane Katrina. More recently a performance of his 5 movement Environmental Symphony narrated by Sir Richard Branson with words by eminent scientist Dr Alan Finkel was the centre piece for the Prime Minister's Banksia Environmental Awards.

Highly sought after as a performer, he has played with musicians as diverse as Sting and Nigel Kennedy to celebrated comedian Robin Williams and renowned "Fiddler On The Roof" star Topol. He has played at all the revered jazz festivals around the world and can be heard performing smooth, lively jazz at a regular gig at the intimate Cafe Latte in Toorak, Melbourne.

Allan Zavod and Trio will enthral you with his interpretation of Gershwin - Under The Stars.

Read more about Allan Zavod at www.allanzavod.com