Now that our back pages are available on the website, there’s no excuse for freelances who approach us with stories we have recently published. We ran a piece on jazz in New York as recently as November. Mind you, the writer who sent the following note wouldn’t have been commissioned anyway. The reasons should be obvious — even if they’re not to him.

Good morning – I’m a producer at — TV but I write the occasional travel piece for local media in my capacity as Captain Blag-a-Holiday. I’m off to New York in March and before you start yawning, I wondered if you’d be interested in a piece on the music scene in NYC, specifically jazz ( nice). I’m sure you’re aware NY is home to some of the world’s most famous jazz venues, and I’m sure there are people out there who’d be interested in a piece on a little tour round the hot spots.

My tour will culminate in a concert at Radio City by Aretha Franklin. Anyone who wants to see her has to fly to the US to do it, as she has a flying phobia! I don’t want paying – all I need to do is mention Continental Airlines at the end. I’m going March 20 – 23.

p.s – I’m a former professional saxophonist so I know a bit about the music.Interested?