About Yuma Jazz Company
The Yuma Jazz Company has been performing, developing, and recording since 2002. There were the early days at St Paul's Cultural Center & Pop-A-Top (behind a pool table). There were series at the Ramada and the Shilo Inn ("What do you mean there's no food?"). And there were the private functions, from wakes to weddings. Who could forget that New Year's at an RV Park? ("Why are you guys playing so much jazz??!?").
At some point, a style started to emerge and the quintet started recording albums of original tunes. There was Shades After Dark, recorded in November of 2004, 95 North in 2006, Street Scene in 2010, 2014's Intuition. See our CD’s page!
The Quintet became a Quartet with the passing of our Brian Carlson in 2018. More personnel changes due to moves and moving on, and the new group included guitarist Jason Arviso and bassist Leo Papo Neblina. A new sound materialized along with albums A Night Such As This in 2020 and Serenity in 2021. A few weeks before we were to record Some Tequila and a Plan, Leo Neblina was tragically taken from us. Months later, we did record the album, dedicated to Leo and featuring his long time friend and frequent sub with YJC, bassist Cesar Juarez.
Over the years, the Yuma Jazz Company has developed great ongoing relationships with local entities helping to keep live jazz available. Among them there's Lutes Casino - Lutes Summer Jazz Series, Julieanna's Patio Cafe - Jazz Nights at Julieanna's, and of course, the Village Jazz Series.
The YJC Quartet continues to look forward to every performance. This is due in part to the personalities of the musicians as well as the group's ability to keep its music fresh by maintaining an improvization-centered approach while reveling in audience friendly performances.
Contact us to include great live music at your special event, occasion, or venue!
Personnel:
- Steven Hennig - trumpet, flugelhorn
- Jason Arviso - guitar
- Tab Wilcox - bass
- Brandon Coz - percussion
YJC has also had the good fortune to perform with other fine musicians when the opportunity has arisen, including:
- Leo Papo Neblina - bass
- Carl Posch - guitar - founding member
- Jon Knudtson - bass - founding member
- Brian Carlson - tenor, alto sax - founding member
- Eloisa Arviso - vocal, sax
- Walter Beasley - alto Sax
- Pablo Bonilla - alto sax
- John Cain - piano
- Robby Carrillo - drums
- Gilbert Castellanos - trumpet
- Jimmy Caves - piano & vocal
- Jessica Coz - trombone
- Ryland Croutch - drums
- Steve Embry - piano
- Mark Flint - bass & guitar
- Damian Flores - drums
- Jimmy Griffin - piano
- Jaime Hernandez - drums
- Mario Hernandez - drums
- Janet Hammer - vocal
- Wayne Jones - bass
- Cezar Juarez - bass
- Keila Martinez - vocal
- John Olin - piano
- Ernie Ortega - trombone
- Pete Pancrazi - guitar
- Martin Peralta - guitar
- Javier Peregrina - guitar
- David Shaffer - saxes
- Bryan Stewart - trumpet
- Ruben Walshe - trumpet
- Jennifer Wayman - vocal
