Village Jazz Series 2017
The free and open to the public Village Jazz Series returns to the Village Area of Yuma Palms Regional Center, 305 S Yuma Palms Pkwy, for its 11th season! Yes - great jazz under the stars is back in a big way for 2017 in its customary inviting atmosphere with palm trees, water features, handy eateries, and the fabulous Yuma, Arizona evenings!
All performances are on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 in the Village Area of Yuma Palms Regional Center. Bring your own folding chair, relax and enjoy!
The music itself, of course, will be terrific! Along with appearances by the highly regarded ‘Host Band’ Yuma Jazz Company Quintet, the series will feature performances by some nationally known jazz artists, including flutist Holly Hofmann (San Diego) appearing with guitarist Frank Potenza (LA), trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos (San Diego) and his Hammond B-3 Trio, vocalist Janet Hammer (San Diego), the Danny Green Trio (San Diego), the Ron Kobayashi Trio (LA), and guitarist/vocalist Pete Pancrazi (Phoenix).
Exceptional local musicians performing this year will include singer/pianist Jimmy Caves, vocalist Jennifer Wayman, instrumental/vocal duo Jason & Elle, and the ever-popular Yuma Big Band. And continuing its tradition of showcasing outstanding student musicians, the Village Jazz Series will also present performances by the Arizona Western College, Cibola High School, Gila Ridge High School, and All-City jazz bands.
The Series is presented by Yuma Palms Regional Center, funded by its parent company, Inland Continental, and sponsored by KSWT, the Yuma Sun, Best Western Innsuites Yuma, and KAWC FM/AM. Each concert will be recorded for one time playback on KAWC's "Best of the Village Jazz Series" broadcasts.
Need a place to stay in Yuma? Our accommodations sponsor, Best Western Innsuites Yuma, is offering a discount - just ask for the "Village Jazz Series Rate” anytime throughout the Series. Best Western is right by Yuma Palms Regional Center, and is a great, friendly place to stay!
So come on down and enjoy great live music at the Village Jazz Series. Bring your own seating, and bring a friend! Bring a bunch of friends! Plan on picking up something to eat and drink in the Village Area, and then sit back, relax, and luxuriate in the captivating, hip experience that is the Village Jazz Series!
2017 Village Jazz Series Schedule:
All performances are 6 to 8pm.
December 1 bonus "Holiday Concert!"
Yuma Jazz Company featuring bassist Cesar Juarez
Bassist Cesar Juarez will be featured with the Quintet in spreading Christmas Joy - adding some 'tunes of the season' to their repertoire and tossing around good cheer like candy canes!
December 15 bonus "Holiday Concert!"
Yuma Catholic High School Choir with Yuma Jazz Company
YCHS’s outstanding choir will be jazzing up some of their Christmas repertoire as they join the Yuma Jazz Company Quintet in presenting this lavish holiday extravaganza!
January 12 Yuma Big Band
The excitement of the Big Band Era is back, with all it’s great music, brought to life by the big, stylish Yuma Big Band! Miller, Dorsey, Ellington - hear all the big names, and the big, swinging sounds!
January 19 Yuma Jazz Company with Jennifer Wayman
The Series’ highly regarded “Host Band” performs with artistry, excitement, and a great guest vocalist - Jennifer Wayman, who will be featured singing some of her favorite tunes. A great combination!
January 26 Holly Hofmann and Frank Potenza (http://www.hollyhofmann.com) (http://www.frankpotenza.com/HOME.html)
One of the best jazz flute players in the world today, Holly Hofmann returns to Yuma, this time with guitarist Frank Potenza - jazz Prof at USC and first call guitarist in the LA area. Don’t miss the rare opportunity to hear this great duo perform!
February 2 Jason & Elle
Always a huge crowd favorite at the Village Jazz Series, this talented, versatile duo
enthralls audiences with their endless variety of great soulful sounds, enchanting vocals, and engaging personal charm.
February 9 Gilbert Castellanos’ Hammond B-3 Trio (https://www.facebook.com/GilbertCastellanos/)
Nationally recognized trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos has performed and recorded with a long list of jazz greats. He also performs regularly with his own groups, and devotes endless hours to supporting young musicians. His exciting Hammond B-3 Trio will be making its first appearance in Yuma.
February 16 Danny Green Trio (http://dannygreen.net)
Pianist/Composer Danny Green and his Trio return to the Village after last year’s memorable concert which eft the crowd wanting more. The Trio received San Diego's “Best Jazz Album” award for After the Calm, which they followed up with Altered Narratives - glowingly reviewed by Down Beat Magazine.
February 23 Yuma Jazz Company’s Latin Jazz Eruption!
The 9-year ‘Eruption’ tradition continues! Sambas, Bossas, Afro-Cuban . . . Latin jazz excitement will again fill the Village when the YJC Quintet turns loose its annually anticipated ‘Latin Jazz Eruption’!
March 2 Gila Ridge High School & YJC Trio
The jazz ensemble from Gila Ridge High School shares an evening of
great music with the YJC Trio. Come hear the this unique combination outstanding student musicians and jazz veterans.
March 9 Ron Kobayashi Trio (https://www.facebook.com/ron.kobayashi)
A long-time staple of the L.A. jazz scene, the Trio makes a return trip to the Village Jazz Series. Ron has performed with Mel Torme, Bill Watrous, Kenny Burrell, and many more - don’t miss him in Yuma with this outstanding group!
March 16 Pete Pancrazi Quartet (http://www.petepancrazi.com)
Phoenix’s award winning jazz guitarist and singer Pete Pancrazi brings his critically
acclaimed stylings back to Yuma. Don’t miss Pete’s famously nimble, creative guitar work and warm vocals.
March 23 Janet Hammer and the AWC Jazz Band (https://www.janethammer.com)
“San Diego's Most Versatile Singer” appears with our local college jazz ensemble as the Village Jazz Series shares its stage for this year’s AWC Jazz Fest performance. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience Janet Hammer live in Yuma!
March 30 Yuma Big Band
The YBB returns for a second engagement this season. Always big, brassy, and swinging, the popular local group revives swing era favorites with new, stylish energy.
April 6 Jimmy Caves
Pianist, singer, and local jazz legend Jimmy Caves has been performing around the region for over 40 years. On this evening he will be putting his inviting musical
stylings on display, backed up by the Yuma Jazz Company Quintet.
April 13 Jason & Elle
The talented, versatile duo returns to the Village Jazz stage for a second time this season with what has been described as a “warm, inviting, sound cocktail”. Don’t miss what Jason & Elle have in store this time around.
April 20 Cibola High School and All-City jazz bands
These young jazz ensembles provide an evening of energy and musical excitement! Come out and hear what these outstanding student musicians (and ‘stars of tomorrow’) can do!
April 27 Yuma Jazz Company and Friends
Ending the Series on a traditionally high note, the acclaimed local quintet will perform with some surprise guest artists. A great time will be had by all, bringing the 2017 Village Jazz Series to an exciting climactic conclusion!
Check out the outstanding list of performers from previous seasons!
