The Village Jazz Series is hoping for a return in 2023
2020 Village Jazz Series
The free and open to the public Village Jazz Series is back in the Village Area of Yuma Palms Regional Center, 305 S Yuma Palms Pkwy, for its 14th season! Yes - great jazz under the stars returns for 2020 in its customary inviting atmosphere which includes palm trees, water features, handy eateries, and the fabulous Yuma, Arizona evenings!
All performances are on Thursday evenings from 6:00pm to 8:00pm 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, the series will feature performances by some nationally known jazz artists, including flutist Holly Hofman appearing with guitar icon Bruce Forman, pianist Danny Green and his Trio, bassist Rob Thorsen with his Trio, pianist Ron Kobayashi's Trio and guitarist/vocalist Pete Pancrazi. Renowned Phoenix vocalist Renee Patrick will be making her Yuma debut, and Dixieland continues in the Series with San Diego's High Society Jazz Band.
Exceptional local musicians performing this year will include vocalist Jennifer Wayman Hart, instrumental/vocal duo Jason & Elle, and the ever-popular Yuma Big Band. Continuing its tradition of showcasing outstanding student musicians, the Village Jazz Series will also present performances by the Arizona Western College, and Cibola and Gila Ridge High School Jazz Bands.
Emphasizing the important role of music in education, the Village Jazz Series Education Award will be presented to one outstanding high school senior musician at the final event of the Series on April 23.
The Series is presented by Yuma Palms Regional Center, funded by its parent company, Inland Commercial Real Estate Services and sponsored by KSWT, Yuma Sun, KAWC FM/AM, Border Radio94.7FM, Long Realty, and Above All Plumbing. Each concert will be recorded for one time playback on KAWC's "Best of the Village Jazz Series" broadcasts.
Need a place to stay while in Yuma?
The following hotels are comfortable, friendly, reasonably priced, and SUPPORT THE VILLAGE JAZZ SERIES! Check with them first, whenever staying in Yuma (does not have to be on a Jazz Series evening).
PLEASE let them know you are booking with them because of their support of the Village Jazz Series!
So set Thursday evenings aside to 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!
As of March 12, the remainder of the 2020 Village Jazz Series has been cancelled out of caution related to the Covid-19 virus.
2020 Village Jazz Series Events:
6:00 to 8:00 Thursday evenings
In the Village Area of Yuma Palms Regional Center
December 5, 2019 - Pre-Village Jazz Series Holiday Concert!
Jason and Eloisa Arviso will help get you in the mood for the holiday season as they share this special evening with Yuma Jazz Company.
December 19, 2019 - Pre-Village Jazz Series Holiday Concert!
Yuma Jazz Company welcomes the Yuma Catholic High School Choir and the spirit only they can add to this to festive, Pre-Village Holiday Concert.
January 9 - Yuma Big Band
The Yuma Big Band is always a favorite with its with big, brassy excitement! The YBB knows how to celebrate the big band era!
January 16 - Danny Green Trio
With a busy performance schedule across the country, the Danny Green Trio returns to Yuma, having wowed the Village Jazz audience in 2016.
January 23 - Rob Thorsen
Rob Thorsen is a 'first call' bassist in San Diego and was the first Village Jazz Guest Artist in 2008. Rob returns to Yuma with his highly regarded Trio.
January 30 - Jennifer Wayman-Hart with Yuma Jazz Company
Vocalist Jennifer Wayman-Hart performs some of her favorite tunes with the popular Village Jazz Series ‘Host Band' Yuma Jazz Company.
February 6 - High Society Jazz Band
San Diego's High Society Jazz Band has become a regular guest of the Series, and its lively brand of Dixieland is always a huge crowd favorite.
February 13 - Renee Patrick
Phoenix's extraordinary vocalist Renee Patrick impresses audiences internationally, and will be making her debut in Yuma - don't miss!
February 20 - Ron Kobayashi
Pianist Ron Kobayashi and his Trio is a mainstay of the L.A. jazz scene and will be returning to Yuma, where the group enthralled the Village Jazz audience in 2016.
February 27 - Holly Hofmann
Considered perhaps the best jazz flutist in the world, San Diego's Holly Hofmann returns to Yuma with L.A. jazz and studio icon, guitarist Bruce Forman. Holly never fails to amaze and is the Series' 'Consultant at Large.'
March 5 - Jason & Elle
Popular local duo Jason & Elle will share their engaging soul / funk / Latin repertoire. J&E are always Village Jazz Series favorites!
March 12 - Pete Pancrazi
A much loved staple of the Series, Phoenix guitarist and vocalist Pete Pancrazi performs with his quartet, sharing his nimble guitar work, warm vocals, and his own personal charm.
March 19 - Yuma Jazz Company
Yuma Jazz Company presents its famous, annual "Latin Jazz Eruption" featuring bossas, sambas, and Afro-Cuban excitement! The eruption is always a high point of the Series!
March 26 - Yuma Big Band
In a return performance this season the popular Yuma Big Band will fill the Village Area with big, swinging sounds! Gotta love the YBB!
April 2 - Jason & Elle
Yuma's dynamic duo Jason & Elle return for a second engagement this season, displaying their popular and compelling mix of engaging musical styles.
April 9 - Gila Ridge and Cibola High
The jazz bands from Gila Ridge and Cibola high schools will showcase their outstanding young musicians. Come hear what these 'stars of tomorrow' can do!
April 16 - Arizona Western College Jazz Band with Yuma Jazz Company Trio
Yuma's own Arizona Western College Jazz Band will show off what it can do, splitting the bill this evening with Yuma Jazz Company Trio.
April 23 - Yuma Jazz Company
Closing the Series on a high note, Yuma Jazz Company will perform with some surprise guests, and the Village Jazz Series Education Award will be presented to an outstanding high school senior.
Check out the outstanding list of performers from previous seasons!
