ZAVOD CLASSICAL / JAZZ FUSION COMPOSERS AWARD: $5,000
In conjunction with
University of Melbourne
Click Here for Details
ZAVOD CLASSICAL / JAZZ FUSION PERFORMERS AWARD: $5,000
In conjunction with
Monash University
Click Here for Details
Allan Zavod: 1947-2016
November 28:
On this 3rd anniversary -
"Remembering Allan... forever in my heart." ~ Christine. (2019)
You are invited to visit the Tributes to Allan page to read the eulogy by Dr. Alan Finkel, his son Zak's speach, the Age Obiturary by Debbie Ellis and other tributes.
Allan Zavod's CDs and DVDs
If you miss Allan's music, his CDs and DVDs are available to purchase through the
Zav Shop.
Snippets of several pieces from each CD can be listened to at the Shop page.
~ The Maven Room (DVD)
~ It's About Time (2-CD)
~ Gershwin and Friends (CD)
~ Humanity United (CD)
~ Miller in the Mirror (CD)
~ What's New (CD)
~ The Hobbit (CD)
~ Zavod Berlin Grigoryan (CD)
~ Olympic Rhapsody 2000 (CD)
~ Theme Songs From The Soaps (CD)
Jazz Lessons and Advice
This PDF contains 10 Jazz lessons written by Dr. Allan Zavod. They were originally created for the Australian Musician Magazine
If you want to purchase these great lessons, go to our
Zav Shop. For more information on the lessons, contact Zav Pty Ltd:
Dr. Allan Zavod: Composer, Conductor, Arranger, Performer - at the forefront of composing a new genre: Classical / Jazz Fusion
The late Dr. Allan Zavod received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on January 26 2017, for service to the performing arts as a musician and composer. Here are some of his outstanding achievements:
- 1st Australian to attend Berklee College of Music, Boston, on Duke Ellington's recommendation, 1970.
- 1st Jazz Fusion Concerto on Australia Day for the Bicentenial at the Opera House performed by Australian Youth Orchestra in 1988.
- Won the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Song Contest in Kuala Lumpur (as composer), taking a very young singer Kate Ceberano on her first international performance, 1987.
- Awarded Doctor of Music by Melbourne University in recognition of his international achievements as a composer of Classical Jazz Fusion and for his substantial, original and distinguished contribution to music knowledge, 2009.
- Environmental Symphony, performed initially at The Banksia Environmental Awards in 2010. Later performed in full by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Hamer Hall in 2015 - all proceeds (over $100,000.00) going to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for GBM Brain Cancer Research.
Zak and Christine accepting Dr. Allan Zavod's OAM award from the Governor of Victoria: Linda Dessau
Celebrating UN Day 2023
A special concert featuring the Environmental Symphony: The Movement, on the theme of 'The Frontlines of Climate Action', was held in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters in New York on October 24th, 2023.
The theme of this year's United Nations Day Concert reinforces Secretary-General António Guterres's call for "faster, bolder climate action," and intends to galvanize world leaders ahead of the COP28 climate conference in Dubai later in the year, and the 2024 International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Antigua and Barbuda.
Full UN Day Concert can be watched here: youtube.com/watch?v=SsuxUZgGH-o (NOTE: Environmental Symphony performance begins at 45 minute mark of the UN Day Concert.)
Click here for more details: pages.qwilr.com/Environmental-Symphony-2023-7QMh0LrR5SUk
Environmental Symphony
An Inspirational live event, was performed in full for the first time on SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER, 2015. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performed this landmark concert at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre, Melbourne.
A unique cinematic composition for live orchestra, including introductory narration and synchronised visuals. A sample of the descriptive work was the centre piece for the Prime Minister's prestigious Banksia Environmental Awards.
Composed by: Dr. Allan Zavod (Composer / Performer); Words written by: Dr Alan Finkel (Australia's Chief Scientist / Philanthropist); Narration by: Sir Richard Branson (Entrepreneur / Philanthropist); Featured Visuals by: Ross McNair.
For more information and more videos, visit the Environmental Symphony page.
Concerto for Oboe - Resilient Spirit
Allan Zavod wrote "Resilient Spirit", an Oboe Concerto, for World Famous Oboe Soloist Diana Doherty. Diana performed with the Queensland Youth Symphony on 26th March, 2011.
The Concert took place at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and was conducted by John Curro (AM MBE). Dedicated to the resilience of the People of Queensland during the 2011 floods.
Concerto Australiana 2nd Movement
In 1988 the Australia Council commissioned Allan Zavod to compose "Concerto Australiana" for the Bicentennial Australia Day Celebrations. This Piano Concerto is a classical / jazz fusion three movement work for piano, orchestra and jazz ensemble. It was performed live on ABC television at the Sydney Opera House.
In the second movement: "Andante", Soloist / Composer Allan Zavod performs with the Australian Youth Orchestra on live national broadcast ABC TV. It was released in association with ABC for audio recording and televised broadcast - World premiere.
Click here to hear the first movenment: "Allegro ma non Troppo" and the third movement: "Allegro".
Allan Zavod Live At Baker Street
Actually, Baker Street is now called Maven Room. In this clip, Dr Zavod plays a sampling of what he performed at his extraordinary "33 Thursday" Concert. You can hear him play his own original composition: "Flying Willow", and also Beethoven's "Appassionata" 3rd Movement - with a little bit of jazz, and some classic-jazz fussion.
His performance was held in a very intimate, softly lit setting in a classy mini concert room, where you can sip wine and listen to live music. At L@BS, performances are actual "recording sessions" that participants get to view live.
The DVD of the full performance can be purchased here: www.allanzavod.com/shop.php
Allan Zavod has played with the Greats: From Zappa to A-List (Sunday Life Magazine - Sunday Age).
Back in 1969, Jazz Great Duke Ellington heard pianist and composer Allan Zavod perform in Melbourne and told him, "I'm going to help you get to America." And America is where the adventure began for the self-assured teenager who was already wowing audiences with his eccentric performances.
Since then Allan has played with Frank Zappa, George Benson, James Morrison, as well as just jamming at the Comedy Store in LA with Robin Williams.
So Zavod has been a rock star, but he's also worked with many of the world's greatest jazz performers. Now he composes for symphony orchestras, with a twist. A hairpin bend away from life on the road playing acid jazz with violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and touring with Zappa, Zavod is now at the forefront of composing a brand-new style - jazz classical fusion.
For Zavod, its attraction is in the opportunity to push boundaries and convention - to take on a role that Ellington once described as "the problem solver". read more >>>
Allan Zavod came back to Melbourne
From 2005-2007 Zavod was living in America. From 2007-2012 he was devoted entirely to composing in Melbourne. During this period his genre-bending orchestral works were performed here and overseas. For a list of his specific works, visit About Allan: Zavod in Depth, and Biography.
For past performances you can visit our Multi-Media page to see some clips of a wide variety of genre. From Classical to Rock to Jazz Fusion.
Zavod finally got back to playing the piano after his 7 year hiatus composing full time. From 2012-2016, he performed at several gigs in and around Melbourne, including: Cafe Latte (Hawksburn Village, Toorak); Marquee Lounge Bar (Trak Centre in Toorak Village); Ruby's Music Room (Little Londsdale St). Allan also performed at several very special events overseas, including: Live @ Phnom Penh; Viet Nam National Symphony and Orchestra; Sax N Art Jazz Club (Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon); Dawn Service aboard the AZAMARA Journey on the Gallipoli-2015 cruise for Anzac Day centennial commemorations. Visit our Current Events page to find out about some of his more recent performances.
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Dr Allan Zavod has died at the age of 69
With a heavy heart, we wish to let you know that Allan passed away on the evening of Nov 28, 2016 at his home surrounded by his wife Christine, his son, Zak, his mother, Annie and close friends.
He was diagnosed with Terminal Stage IV Inoperable Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) Malignant Brain Tumor in July 2015, and was only given 3 months to live. During the following 17 months, Allan continued to do what he loved best: perform. His last live public performances were in September -just 2 months before he died.
Visit the Tributes to Allan page to read the eulogy by Dr. Alan Finkel, the speach by Allan's son Zak Zavod, the Age Obiturary by Debbie Ellis and other tributes.
Allan Zavod's final performances at the Marquee Lounge Bar in September
The late Dr. Allan Zavod's final public performances on Sept 14 & 28, 2016 at the Marquee Lounge Bar in Toorak: "Its about time" - CD launch, dinner and show. Part of the proceeds from the nights went to the Zavod fellowship for Brain Cancer Research.
Allan Zavod on The Mix: 22 October 2016
Dr Allan Zavod being interviewed on the The Mix (ABC News) by Myf Warhurst - 22nd October 2016. Just one month before Allan passed away (Nov 28th) after a 17 month battle with brain cancer.
Allan Zavod Performing for the Australian Jazz Bell Awards at Birds Basement, 2016.
Allan Zavod was the featured performer at the June 2016 Australian Jazz Bell Awards at Birds Basement, playing in memory of those jazz greats that passed away in 2016.
Rest in Peace, Allan. You will be sorely missed.
Allan Zavod with his wife Christine, son Zak, and mother Anne
Allan's wife Christine, son Zak, and mother Anne