Yuma Palms to host two free concerts ahead of annual series
Preceding the annual jazz series that typically takes place from January until spring, the local community can catch two free holiday jazz concerts. Presented by the Yuma Palms Regional Center, the jazz concerts will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, and Thursday, Dec. 14.
The music-filled nights will be held in the Village Area of the shopping mall, 1305 Yuma Palms Pkwy.
Attendees will see the Yuma Jazz Company (YJC) Quintet at both performances. YJC formed about 16 years ago and consists of Steve Hennig (trumpet), Brian Carlson (saxes), Carl Posch (guitar), Jon Knudtson (bass) and Brandon Coz (drums).
The long-standing group is to take some blues, Latin and progressive jazz license with “songs of the season” for the holiday jazz concerts. YJC will also perform as the backup band for the featured guests.
For the first concert, San Luis bassist Cesar Juarez will be featured while the second concert is to feature the Yuma Catholic High School Choir.
According to Juarez’s biography, the musician is a jazz, funk, Latin and rock bassist as well as a composer and music educator. In the past he earned a Professional Bass Certificate from the Berklee School of music.
Presently, he performs with his group, the Cesar Jaurez Band, at venues across the United States.
“Cesar is somebody that we have played with previously on a couple of occasions,” said Hennig, organizer of the concerts and member of the Yuma Jazz Company. “He is just really an outstanding bassist.”
Back in 2014, Juarez performed in Yuma with his band for an evening during the 2014 Village Jazz Series.
“Performing with the Yuma Jazz Company is especially nice because one of the members — Mr. Carl Posh