Ben Bohorquez is a local musician in the DFW area. Born in El Paso, TX, his family moved around from Indianapolis, IN to La Paz, Bolivia before settling down in Houston, TX. His mother taught him piano at the early age of 5, but Ben started taking music seriously when he chose to play the saxophone in 6th grade. Through the band programs, private instruction with local legend Martin Langford, and his father’s church where he became a worship leader at age 12, Ben excelled in music and was exposed to many different styles. Mr. Langford introduced him to great saxophone players who improvised in the different idioms of jazz. This became a goal at an early age. After graduating from the prestigious High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), Ben moved to Denton, TX to pursue a Jazz Studies degree from the University of North Texas. He was in the last generation of UNT students who studied with Jim Riggs, and the first generation to study with Brad Leali. He recorded with the UNT Jazz Singers I and the 2 O'Clock Lab Band. Ben completed his degree in 2009 and now resides in Dallas, TX where he is a freelance musician. He performs regularly with The Funky Knuckles, Tatiana 'LadyMay' Mayfield, Catie Waters, and RSVP. He has also performed with Snarky Puppy, Bernard Wright, Foley, Foe Destroyer, and the Dallas Theatre Center.

Ben has been teaching private lessons since 2007. His first student is now pursuing a double major in Music Education and Jazz Studies at UNT. Whether teaching beginner or advanced students, Ben has always tried to tailor the lessons to the personal interests of each student, while inherently ensuring that the necessary fundamentals of the instrument and music are instilled. One of his passions is helping students discover what the meaning of music is in their lives and watching them grow as musicians.

Born in 1973 in Corsicana, Texas, Bobby Sparks grew up with parents who were teachers and musicians. His mother, a church organist, started him on the piano at age three, and encouraged his love of hymns and gospel music. After high school, he further honed his skills studying music at Eastfield College in Mesquite near Dallas. It was during this period that he met and joined Kirk Franklin’s gospel group. With Franklin he earned a bevy of accolades, including numerous Grammy Awards. He was a key member of trumpeter the late Roy Hargrove’s funk-jazz outfit RH Factor. Over the years, Sparks also branched out into radio and television, supplying the music for shows like Top Model and movies like The Prince of Egypt. Away from performing, he has also served as organist for Pathway of Life Church. Since 2016, he has been a regular member of the acclaimed jam band Snarky Puppy, appearing on 2016’s Grammy-winning Culcha Vulcha, and 2019’s Immigrance. Also in 2019, Sparks released his first album as a leader, Schizophrenia: The Yang Project, which featured contributions by Hargrove, Marcus Miller, Snarky Puppy’s Michael League, and others.

Braylon Lacy can whirl warm tones on the upright and electric bass. His tone is so richly embedded with his families musical and gospel roots as well as jazz inspirations.

Braylon has wowed the globe with an array of artist in all genres artist such as: Wynton Marsalis, Prince, Erykah Badu, Chaka Khan, Roy Ayers, Israel Houghton, Kirk Whalum and the late Wayman Tisdale.

Braylon began playing in the church and has been playing professionally for fifteen years. His formal training began with Dean Hill and continued in his high school years at BTWHSPVA Dallas’ Arts Magnet High School. Braylon further studied music at Weatherford College and the University of North Texas.

Braylon has been featured on numerous recordings including the Grammy award winning Hero by Kirk Franklin and Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun.
Featured in Bass Player magazine, Braylon has several endorsements including: Aguliar Amplification, DR Strings and Fender guitars.

Braylon maintains a busy schedule of recording, teaching and touring nationally as well internationally.

For the eyes of a man, for the heart of a woman: Mahogany is a true artist for any music advocate to love. Candace "Mahogany" Miller is a native of Dallas, TX (Richardson). She has been a vocalist all of her life, playing both piano and drums, while keeping a steady hand in writing and production. Mahogany and her band JAMBOX bring to you unforgettable performances that features an amazing mix of jazz, soul, and even a bit of blues, infusing tunes you know and love with original material they had made popular on the music scene. She has frequented clubs and restaurants locally including, Dallas Museum of Art, Buttons Restaurant, Sandaga Jazz, Devine Wine, Brooklyn Jazz, and was a weekly performer at former Sambuca Jazz (Addison), She has been honored to be featured with artist such as Roy Hargrove, Texas Tenor Jason Davis, Jazz Vet Roger Boykin, and she has shared a stage with greats like smooth Jazz artist David Sanborn, The Late Great Marchel Ivrey, Organist Soul Man Red Young, band leader Joe Firstman, and Blood Sweat and Tears member and classic rock artist Bill Tillman. Mahogany has stretched her soul vocals singing back ground with world-renowned bass player Foley (Miles Davis/Joni Mitchel/Chaka Khan). She  graced the stage with percussionist Victor Orlando (GAP band, Tina Marie, Chaka Khan) live in Dallas and has also recently served as Music Director for artist Dani Mimms (Klymaxx) live in Dallas. Mahogany has been a featured vocalist in the super GOGO Band, under the direction of 5-time Grammy Award winner Shaun Martin (7 Summers, Snarky Puppy) for the past six years.

Mahogany is an educator and motivator. She has recently pioneered an amazing movement and her biggest dream, The Jazz BeCuzz Arts Group and Center. This improvisational driven school of thought is quickly becoming a nationwide arts movement for families. While teaching students ranging in age from 3 to 95, she is still making headway in the industry through her own recording and through collaborations. Mahogany's Debut CD titled JAMBOX is currently distributed digitally world-wide and being sold via iTunes and CDbaby. Mahogany’s national and international journey has lead to several prestigious performances including the various city and state political events, striking performances with the Stage Band South Big Band, playing for the Mexican Consulate (featured vocalist with Jason Davis Jazz Band), Jazz in Pink, taking the stage at the House of Blues in LA and playing privately for many elected officials throughout the years. Her music can be heard as far as Russia via both internet and mainstream radio and her voice has been featured on movie sound tracks including YOU GOT SERVED, KINGS RANSOM and SOUL PLANE. Mahogany is a staff writer, producer and engineer with the Dallas Track Factory. You can hear and purchase Mahogany on the most recent JAZZ BECUZZ Jazz 101 release HER SONG (releasing Dec 1, 2015)  and is currently recording her next feature CD project with award winning producer Shaun Martin (Spring 2016)

Chris began playing trumpet at the age of 13. He learned his basic trumpet skills from his father. Although receiving a late start on his trumpet playing, Chris caught up quickly and was soon working professionally around Ardmore. After graduating high school, Chris joined the Army Bands working not only as a trumpet player, but also as a vocalist, keyboardist, and sound technician with the 62nd Army Band based in Ft. Bliss, El Paso. His masterful skills provided him with opportunities to travel, play and teach in South Korea, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Canada, and South America. Chris earned his Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Texas at Arlington.  He now holds a position as Adjunct Professor at Tarrant County Community College and Northlake College.

As a Director in the ’44 Uprising Productions and Records Family, Chris maintains a very important role as Arranger, Producer, Film Score and Underscore Composition, Songwriter, Artist & Repertoire Developer and Business Development.