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2013 Village Jazz Series – Yuma Jazz Company’s Latin Jazz Eruption

February 21
Yuma Palms Regional Center
Yuma

2013 Village Jazz Series

   Yuma, Arizona’s annual Village Jazz Series returns for its 7th season in 2013!  Presented by Yuma Palms Regional Center,  the series of 15 free concerts, held in the Village Area of the Yuma Palms mall, runs Thursday evenings, 6 to 8pm, January 17 through April 25.  This year the series will feature performances ranging from duo to big band, from dixieland to progressive jazz, and from promising student musicians to internationally known artists.   Each event will be recorded live by KAWC and played back in a one hour “Best of the Village Jazz Series” program aired a week later than the event itself.

    In addition to Yuma Palms, the Village Jazz Series is sponsored by The Yuma Sun, KAWC, Hampton Inn Suites, and Fretworks Music Center.  It is  organized and hosted by Steven Hennig of Yuma Jazz Company, as it has been since its first year, 2007.  Hennig says people should come to the events, “... because the music is great.  The talent level is very high, and the atmosphere is truly cosmopolitan - people are always commenting that attending the Series makes you feel you are in a much bigger city! It is just outstanding all the way around - and free!”

      Holly Hofmann, regarded as one of the best jazz flutists in the world, will be appearing with her husband, Mike Wofford, who is himself an internationally revered pianist, and sited by Down Beat Magazine as “One of the outstanding pianists of our time”.  Hofmann has also served for several years as “Consultant at Large” for the Village Jazz Series, facilitating the appearances of Gilbert Castellanos, Peter Sprague, and Bill Cunliffe in recent years.

  Returning to perform this season will be San Diego’s High Society Jazz Band - one of the most entertaining groups on the dixieland festival circuit. High Society excited audiences last year as a trio, and will be performing as a quartet this time around.

   Local groups performing include the nationally reviewed and locally popular Yuma Jazz Company Quintet , the Yuma Big Band, which will performing on opening night, the newly formed Border Town Big Band, and Jason and Elle, a gifted local duo which is always a favorite of audiences.
   From Phoenix, popular guitarist, singer, and song writer Pete Pancrazi will continue his ongoing association with the Series with two appearances, and Garrett Ortego, a young standout guitarist will be sharing his distinctive style in Yuma as well.

   Since its inception, the Village Jazz Series has provided performance opportunities for dedicated student musicians.  This year, student groups performing will include Arizona Western College, Yuma, Gila Ridge, and Cibola high schools, and the Gadsden District Jazz Band. 

   New this year, in conjunction with the Series, Yuma Palms Regional Center will be awarding a $500 jazz scholarship to a local high school senior with an interest in jazz who will be going on to higher education.  The awarding of the scholarship will be facilitated by Jazz Southwest, a local non profit group formed to increase the awareness and availability of jazz in Southwest Arizona.

     During the Series and in collaboration with the Yuma Art center, Yuma Palms will be auctioning deck furniture, hand painted by local artists.  100% of the proceeds will go to the Western Region of Arizona Odyssey of the Mind.  Odyssey of the Mind is a creative thinking competition, and students from Yuma have the opportunity to compete in regional, state, and world competitions.
  
   The Village, modeled after a charming downtown gathering place, is located in front of Harkins Theaters and forms an effective amphitheater.  The venue is surrounded by shops and eateries, and its inviting mood is enhanced with grass, water features, and palm trees.  Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating for the concerts, and to enjoy the food and drinks available from Village vendors.  And don’t forget shopping - area merchants will also offer ‘Jazz Night Specials’.
    
Village Jazz Series ‘13
all times 6 to 9pm

February 7  Gila Ridge and Gadsden High School Jazz Bands
   The jazz ensembles from are high schools perform for an evening of youthful excitement!  
   Come out and hear what these outstanding student musicians can do! 

February 14  Jason & Elle
     Celebrate Valentine’s Day with this talented, versatile duo!  Jason & Elle are always a
      crowd favorite, and certainly not to be missed on this special day!

February 21   Yuma Jazz Company’s  Latin Jazz Eruption!
    Sambas, Bossas, Afro-Cuban . . . Latin jazz excitement fills the Village when the YJC
    Quintet turns loose its annual ‘Latin Jazz Eruption’!

February 28  AWC Jazz Band and the YJC Trio
    The jazz band from Arizona Western College shares the evening with Yuma Jazz
    Company’s Trio.  The intimate sounds of the trio, coupled with the excitement of the Big
    Band - a marvelous combination!

March 7  Holly Hofmann and Mike Wofford
    Acclaimed as perhaps the best jazz flutist in the world, Holly Hofmann appears with
     husband and jazz piano legend Mike Wofford.  Holly performed here in 2010 and
     amazed - throw in Mr. Wofford, and If there is one (FREE!) event not to miss,
     THIS IS IT!

March 14   Pete Pancrazi Quartet
     Phoenix’s highly regarded jazz guitarist and singer Pete Pancrazi brings his critically
    acclaimed  stylings back to Yuma.  One of the best guitarists anywhere, Pete is also
    great with a lyric and loved by audiences.

March 21   High Society Jazz Band
    Dixieland returns the Village Jazz Series!  A huge hit here last year, San Diego’s vaunted
    High Society Jazz Band is always one of the most entertaining groups on the Dixieland
    Jazz festival circuit.  Don’t miss them when they come back to Yuma.

March 28  Border Town Big Band
    This is not your Grandfather’s big band, but it sure sounds great!   Newly formed this
    year, the BTBB features some of the best musicians around - come check it out!

April 4  Garrett Ortego Trio
    Young standout guitarist in the Phoenix jazz scene, Garrett Ortego returns to the Village.
    Don’t miss this opportunity to hear his unique creativity and agile technique!

April 11  Jason & Elle
    Returning for a second Village Jazz Series appearance, this talented, versatile duo
    enthrals audiences with their endless variety of great soulful sounds.

April 18  Yuma and Cibola HS Jazz Bands
     The jazz ensembles of Yuma and Cibola  high schools share an evening of 
     great music.  Come hear the energy & excitement of some truly outstanding young
     musicians.

April 25   Yuma Jazz Company and Friends
    Ending the Series on a high note, the acclaimed local quintet will perform with some
    surprise guest artists - a great time will be had by all!

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