Village Jazz Series showcases Kofa High School and Arizona Western College talent
Moses Femino
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Live jazz filled the air Thursday night as Arizona Western College and Kofa High School students took the stage for the Village Jazz Series. Highlighting local talent and creating a bridge between high school and college musicians.
Both jazz bands delivered energetic performances in an outdoor setting at the Yuma Palms Regional Center. Giving families a chance to enjoy music under the stars while showcasing the growth of Yuma’s jazz scene.
For the student musicians, the event was more than just a performance. It was an opportunity to connect with the community and inspire the next generation.
“We get to show our talent and how much we’ve worked towards this for the people of Yuma County,” Maximiliano Campos, a third-year music major at Arizona Western College, said. “They get to see it and they get to enjoy it as much as we do.”
Lorenzo Paredes, a first-year music major at Arizona Western College, said performing alongside Kofa High School students highlights the strength of local music programs and opens the door for younger musicians to continue their education at Arizona Western College.
“I feel excited too, cause it also shows me how talented high schools are with music,” Paredes said. “And it also shows them that we, AWC here, we have a jazz program. Pretty good one too so if they want to join next year, they can.”
Kofa High School opened the concert, with Arizona Western College closing out the two-hour performance.
The Village Jazz Series is set to wrap up its 2026 run next Thursday.