Smoky Clubs - que?

[vic ki]

"In smoky clubs": the opening words from the feature in the Sydney Morning Herald Metro feature on Sydney Jazz.

WHAT SMOKY CLUBS? Are there any left? Is this part of the cliche of what was known as the jazz world?

Melbourne doesn't have smoky clubs, so if you want clean lungs move here, but then you'll probably get asthma from breathing the air anyway.

Seriously how groovy to see a main feature on Aussie jazz, even if it is just the Sydney scene. Lovely pic of Bernie on the front cover too. "Sax and the City" - er ok, the sub must have been tired. Kenny will you do one for Melbourne please?

cool icon goes with corny headline.

[isaacs]

Smoky clubs is indeed a cliche, the jazz clubs here in Sydney are generally smoke free, only pubs and gigs in hotel lounges have smoke.

In a former life I was a campaigner for non-smoking venues and worked with the Cancer Council to present one of the first smoke-free jazz events in Sydney, in 1996, funny how times change, "smoke-free" was regarded as weird back then. It was a populist event, I booked Monica Trapaca, Kerrie Biddel and George Golla all backed by my trio and about 400 people came on a Sunday night, many saying "I haven't been to see jazz for years because of the smoke". We raised $1000 for the Cancer Council and we all got really well paid as well..

Now smoke-free's the the norm thank God, but newsaper subs haven't caught on!

[vic kee]

Good for you Mark - I worked for Quit in Melbourne in 96, I did some work on smoke free venues too. It wasn't until I worked for them that I found out the extent of evil that is the tobacco companies. They are real bastards - giving away free cigarettes to kids in poor countries for example.

My father died way too early largely because he worked in smoky venues for years in the 60s - 80s. How many other musicians died from breathing in other people's smoke all night long 6 days a week I wonder?

On another subject; I am enjoying the new CD Mark, it's really very good indeed. I noticed you gut a plug in the article too, pity they didn't have you on the cover - but you don't have enough wrinkles, maybe you should take up smoking? (nuh.. it makes you stink)

[Kenny]

Speaking of which:

A passer-by noticed an old lady sitting on her front step:

"I couldn't help noticing how happy you looked! What is your secret for such a long, happy life?"

"I smoke 4 packs of cigarettes a day", she said. "Before I go to bed, I smoke a nice big joint. Apart from that, I drink a whole bottle of Jack Daniels every week, and eat only junk food. On weekends I pop a huge number of pills and do no exercise at all."

"This is absolutely amaizing at your age!!!!", says the passer-by. "How old are you?"

"Twenty four"