Local jazz concert series starts this week

Through the ages of music, one genre has stood the test of time.

Jazz is a music genre that began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and developed from roots in blues and ragtime.

For the Yuma Jazz Company, music is the gateway to learning.

“For me, it’s an art form and a way of expressing and I feel like that’s what makes jazz work here,” said Steven Hennig, series organizer.

Starting their 13th season, the Yuma Jazz company will be holding their public Village Jazz series, starting January 10.

“It’s a beautiful venue especially with the lights lit up, it’s just a great setting for live jazz,” Hennig said.

Hennig said this series began as a small event.

“We average about 500 people per event,” he said.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to enjoy both local and out of state jazz ensembles such as percussionist David Whitman, trombonist Matt Hall, or vocalist Janet Hammer.

Dixieland will take a spot in the Series with San Diego’s High Society Jazz Band.

Former Village Jazz Series high school stand out pianist Jonathan Hines returns with his quintet.

Local musicians performing this year include vocalist Jennifer Wayman Hart, instrumental/vocal duo Jason & Elle, and the ever-popular Yuma Big Band.

“Bringing them here getting to hear them live it’s absolutely fantastic so I really look forward to those groups the ones that I haven’t heard before.”

In addition to big bands, this jazz series will showcase student musicians, by the Arizona Western College, Cibola High School, and Gila Ridge High School Jazz Bands.

“One of the really neat aspects of the series is that we do have a concert put on by high school jazz bands and also the Arizona Western College band, and what’s really special about it is usually these groups are used to playing for families and relatives but this gives them a whole big audience. The audience really appreciates getting to hear what young people are capable of,” Hennig said.”

Emphasizing the important role of music in education, Village Jazz Series Education Awards will be awarded to winning high school senior musicians at the final event of the Series on April 25.

These students are nominated based on how they feel jazz has influenced them and how they excel in their musicianship, Hennig said.

“Music is so beneficial for students, for what it does to your mind, it helps you learn other things so much better,” Hennig said.

“They are awarded on the basis of the students their involvement in music and how they have been affected or inspired by jazz itself so we get a lot of really cool individuals with unique stories.”

The concert series show parents and school faculty how important music is for students.

“Music is really an important aspect of education and for the a ffect it has on students, kids who study music tend to do better in all their classes. So this series and the education awards bring more of an awareness to the population, to the public and the students themselves,” Hennig said.

There will be 16 free concerts each Thursday, from 6 to 8 in the Village Area of Yuma Palms.

The community is encouraged to bring their own chairs.

For more information, visit yumzjazz.com.