Jana Pleyto
Sandra 1The Best of Melbourne Jazz at Bennetts Lane
August 27th 2008 15:41
For Melbourne jazz afficionados there's no going past Bennetts Lane.
This dive (I say that with total affection) was one of the first places I visited when I moved here. Bennetts Lane itself (that is, Bennetts Lane the lane) is off Little Lonsdale St (here's their map) between Russell and Exhibition. You'll think you took a wrong turn but don't be fooled. Everything about the place is low key; a couple of lights at the end of the laneway signal the presence of a jazz institution. Cats dart between the cars and pillars outside.
Pay the hefty cover charge (I THINK there's always a cover, correct me if I'm wrong) and your Bennetts experience can begin. It's a dark room packed with die hard regulars- a real old school jazz club, as it's often been said. Settle down and enjoy the musical gymnastics. If you're lucky you'll catch saxophonist Jamie Oehlers- a regular (he actually recorded a Bennetts session in the bigger room next door) who has a lot of charm and is interesting to watch as well.
Avoid Bennetts Lane if you're feeling chatty or boisterous or if (god forbid) you're thinking the music will provide a nice background for your rapt socialising. It's all about the feature act. This is a crowd who hangs on the musicians' every note, cadence, tired exhalation, sideways shuffle and thirsty slurp of water. Don't even think about talking during the set or you'll incur the wrath of Bennetts' infamous 'shoosh' lady (I believe she's the wife of the owner).
Feel free to talk between sets though, you're likely to meet some interesting characters. The lights are dim, it's warm, everyone's packed together and the liquor is flowing. I'm sure a lot of ill-fated, marijuana fuelled hook-ups have happened here. And say hello to the cute blonde girl at the bar who always recommended good wines for me.
Click here for this weeks program at Bennetts Lane and past gig reviews.
This dive (I say that with total affection) was one of the first places I visited when I moved here. Bennetts Lane itself (that is, Bennetts Lane the lane) is off Little Lonsdale St (here's their map) between Russell and Exhibition. You'll think you took a wrong turn but don't be fooled. Everything about the place is low key; a couple of lights at the end of the laneway signal the presence of a jazz institution. Cats dart between the cars and pillars outside.
Pay the hefty cover charge (I THINK there's always a cover, correct me if I'm wrong) and your Bennetts experience can begin. It's a dark room packed with die hard regulars- a real old school jazz club, as it's often been said. Settle down and enjoy the musical gymnastics. If you're lucky you'll catch saxophonist Jamie Oehlers- a regular (he actually recorded a Bennetts session in the bigger room next door) who has a lot of charm and is interesting to watch as well.
Avoid Bennetts Lane if you're feeling chatty or boisterous or if (god forbid) you're thinking the music will provide a nice background for your rapt socialising. It's all about the feature act. This is a crowd who hangs on the musicians' every note, cadence, tired exhalation, sideways shuffle and thirsty slurp of water. Don't even think about talking during the set or you'll incur the wrath of Bennetts' infamous 'shoosh' lady (I believe she's the wife of the owner).
Feel free to talk between sets though, you're likely to meet some interesting characters. The lights are dim, it's warm, everyone's packed together and the liquor is flowing. I'm sure a lot of ill-fated, marijuana fuelled hook-ups have happened here. And say hello to the cute blonde girl at the bar who always recommended good wines for me.
Click here for this weeks program at Bennetts Lane and past gig reviews.
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