Complex sentence: Throughout two dismal years, 1984 and 1985, he was forced to play in Latin dance and reception bands, as the New York clubs, once a prominent part of the jazz scene, had mostly disappeared.
Split into simpler sentences: Throughout two dismal years, 1984 and 1985, he was forced to play in Latin dance and reception bands. The New York clubs, once a prominent part of the jazz scene, had mostly disappeared.