Getting into the Groove for a night of Jazz

It started as a couple of mates playing a gig for a friend’s 50th birthday party, but over the years Acid Bleed has expanded to become a funky five-piece jazz band.

Andrew Horowitz, who plays tenor and soprano saxophones and electric violin, and retired Alstonville GP Jimmy Chiu, who plays a modern electric Spanish/gypsy-style guitar, were the group’s first members back in 2009.

They have since been joined by St Vincent’s Lismore cardiologist Adam Blenkhorn on lead electric guitar, retired audio-visual engineer Josh Kirk on upright bass and Dave Hirst, who runs a computer store in Ballina, on drums/percussion and manacles.

The band’s repertoire spans everything from gypsy swing to Latin and classic jazz standards as well as groovy originals.

“I just really like playing this type of music,” Horowitz said.

“It’s light-hearted, refreshing and fun.”

While jazz music is often associated with New Orleans, Polish-born Horowitz said this type of jazz originated in Europe.

Recently returned from the Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival in New Zealand, Acid Bleed is now preparing for its next gig – a Northern Rivers for Refugees fundraiser with local singer Veronica Lovejoy at Tintenbar Hall on September 14.

Horowitz and his wife have been involved with the organisation (previously Ballina Region for Refugees) for many years, even hosting refugees from the city for breaks at their rural property.

“We have done lots of gigs at Tintenbar Hall and it’s really a nice place to play,” Horowitz said.

“There are so many nice venues in this region – charming and historic old halls with timber floors.

“Many of them are 100 years old, or close to it.”

Tickets for the gig start from $20, BYO alcohol.

For more information and to book, head to events.humanitix.com/swing-to-acid-bleed