Jazz thriving and jiving in Tweed

THE Tweed River Jazz Club has released its program for the coming months, with the non-profit, volunteer-led club going from strength to strength after a rollercoaster few years.

Outgoing club president David Field said he was stepping down for health reasons after six years at the helm.

“Looking back on those six years, I’m reminded of the old Chinese curse – may you live in interesting times,” Field said.

“Circumstances beyond the club’s control sent its fortunes up and down more often than a trombone slide.

“First came COVID, with its restriction on public gatherings that resulted in reduced attendances at gigs, and we’d no sooner begun to recover from that when we had the flood of Biblical proportions that closed down the Bowlo for almost a year.”

In 2022, the club switched venues to the Murwillumbah Golf Club, where attendance numbers dived until returning to the Bowling Club a year later.

“Along with a healthy number of visitors and a well-informed choice of bands, this resulted in a steady regrowth to the point the club not only recovered but is now in a healthier position than it has been for years.”

First formed in 1996 with a mission to facilitate live performance and appreciation of jazz in the area, the then Tweed Shire mayor Max Boyd supported the endeavour and remains the club’s patron.

Long time secretary Marlene Downing said the club was a big part of her life.

“I’ve been involved for 33 years and it all started with a gig in our backyard in 1993,” she said.

Incoming president Peter Hurcombe said he was looking forward to the new role and had large shoes to fill.

“Some of our acts performing are of the highest level in the entertainment world available, and very much in demand,” he said.

For updated information and bookings, visit facebook.com/tweedvalleyjazzandbluesclub