My first trip to America was to New York. My father told me that his mother's grandma went to New York from Ireland. I felt a connection to Brooklyn – my Irish Scottish genes were excited by the history of the place where the immigrants shaped a fine city.

My main objective was to study music with the masters and New York was the place where they were. I went out every night to see jazz. I was fortunate to see Gil Evans playing the Concierto de Aranjuez and Miles Davis came on later as the support act – what a night. It was pre-Reagan – 1982.

LOS ANGELES

My friend was a session musician and he played on so many records, from Muddy Waters to Freddie Hubbard. He lived in Hollywood behind the Grauman's Chinese theatre. It was a "povo" apartment but great fun.

I found myself in the midst of the drug world – my friend kept his energy level up by the frequent use of cocaine. I was, and still am, a drug virgin but enjoyed the experience of driving around at all times of the night watching him score his uppers from a Colombian gangster. The seedy side of LA was exhilarating. 

 BERLIN

German people in general love jazz and I love the German people. The German culture has always excited me and Berlin is alive with musicians and artists everywhere. I love to visit places where the artists have a voice – expression through the arts enhances the soul of any city.

MELBOURNE

I spent many years in Melbourne and have the fondest memories of my life there. I've covered every square mile of the city, playing up to four nights a week with my band, from as far as Knox (in the outer east) to St Kilda (in the inner south).

Melbourne is a city designed for people to live as opposed to exist.  I love the old parts of Melbourne and wished I had bought a factory space back when they were cheaper. One has freedom to create in Melbourne.

I have travelled to many cities throughout the world and still feel that Melbourne is the best city of them all.

TOKYO

While eating the most delicious food ever, the earth starts to shake and nobody flinches. This is a daily occurrence in Tokyo.

I only saw the nightlife – we played in a club called the Cotton Club. It was very sophisticated. But Tokyo is bigger than I ever imagined. I have never tasted food so tasty and beautifully prepared. And I was shocked by how open minded the Japanese people are.

Van Morrison's Masterpieces featuring Vince Jones and the Astral Orchestra is on at the Melbourne Recital Centre, June 10 and 14.  The Melbourne Jazz Festival runs June 3-12. See melbournejazz.com.