It’s a pretty big claim. However the Bennetts Lane Jazz Club has been described by the Lonely Planet travel guide to Australia as “the world’s best jazz club”.
Bennetts Lane has been operating for over 20 years. Founded in 1992 by the son of Italian immigrants, Michael Tortoni, who was a successful stockbroker, a member of a rock band that toured with Suzi Quatro and Sweet, an accomplished jazz musician, and who worked two jobs for over a decade to bring his club to life.
This book is launching as part of the 2014 Melbourne International Jazz Festival. It celebrates jazz over the past two decades and the passion of Bennetts Lane’s founder and his loyal staff.
The book is a snapshot on the fascinating world of jazz and Melbourne’s cultural history.
Launch takes place this Sunday. More info http://melbournejazz.com/program .
Author DAVID JAMES was jazz critic for the Melbourne Herald from 1985 to 1990 and music reviewer for BRW magazine (1990-2000). He writes jazz reviews for The Age, and has been a business journalist for 25 years. He has been a jazz flautist and composer for over 30 years.
Bennetts Lane founder and proprietor MICHAEL TORTONI is also currently the Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and has been on its board since 2001.
“Bennetts Lane is one of the great jazz clubs in the world. I can’t think of anywhere I played that is better.” ALLAN BROWNE AM
