DFW Jazz Artist Directory
Search for DFW Jazz Artists by keyword and/or instrument below.
DFW Jazz Artist Directory
Search for DFW Jazz Artists by keyword and/or instrument below.
Austin Crawford is a diverse drummer, versed in a wide variety of genres. A native of Florida, Austin pursued a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies at Florida State University, where he participated in performances and festivals such as the “Future of Jazz” concert led by the great Teddy Adams. He recently received a master’s degree from the University of North Texas where he was a member of the Two O’clock Lab Band. He currently freelances and teaches in the DFW area. 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. Bill Lohr, an accomplished pianist has traveled the world as an accompanist for noted singers such as Al Jarreau, Carmen MacRae and most notably as the pianist for Lou Rawls for six years. Bill has performed at the London Palladium, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, as well as numerous television appearances, including The Tonight Show. In 1994, Bill moved to Branson, Missouri and became the conductor and pianist for Andy Williams at the Moon River Theater. In 1995, Bill became pianist for the Lawrence Welk Orchestra. Bobby Ray Sparks, II, son of Molly and Bobby Ray Sparks, Sr., was born February 1973, in Corsicana, Texas. A child prodigy, he began playing the organ when he was three years old. Bobby has studied music privately with his mother and Mrs. Anna Joyce Whitehead. As a young child, he used his gift of music to please the hearts of all who heard him. He played for many area church choirs, musical workshops, and vocal groups during his early years. His music versatility began in the home where his parents, both educators by profession, were also musicians. His mother steered him in the direction of the music of the church. His father, an avid jazzman and jazz musician, demanded that he become well versed in all kinds of music. He was introduced to the music of jazz giants such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dexter Gordan and Miles Davis at an early age. 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. Brannen Temple, specialist in drumset, is one of the most sought after drummers in Texas. He has performed with numerous artists including Mitch Watkins, Kevin Paige, Ron Brown, Carmen Bradford, Sheena Easton, Alejandro Escovedo, Kenny Wheeler, James Cotton, Chaka Khan, Janet Jackson, Chris Duarte, Robben Ford, Ted Nugent, Eric Johnson, Robben Ford, Me’Shell NdegeOcello, Paul Jackson JR., Ernie Watts, Roy Hargrove, Adam Levy, Big John Patton and Leni Stern. His discography is vast, including appearances on ” Anything But Money” by Patrice Rushen, “Peace Beyond Passion” by Me’Shell NdegeOcello and “G3 Live” by Eric Johnson. He has appeared on The Tonight Show, MTV Spring Break, Austin City Limits and Soultrain. Brannen Temple endorses Fibes drums, Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian dumsticks and Rhythm Tech percussion. 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. Braylon maintains a busy schedule of recording, teaching and touring nationally as well internationally. Buddy Mohmed is one of the top bass players in the U.S., as well as an internationally recognized guitarist and composer. He has performed, toured and/or recorded with some of the world’s top musicians, including: Cedar Walton, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Kenny Wheeler, Billy Preston, Cirque du Soleil, David 'Fathead' Newman, One O'clock Lab Band, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and many more. Mr. Mohmed was named Artist in Residence for the City of Dallas, TX in 2002. Mr. Mohmed has also performed and written music for theater and dance, including composer and music director for the show "Down a Long Road", which featured a run at New York’s famous Lamb's Theater. 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) Carolyn Lee Jones, the vocalist, burst onto the Dallas Jazz scene in 2008. Though music was a large part of her formative years in Nebraska, she was lured to the big city of Dallas to pursue a career with luxury retailers. She happily traveled the world. Her love of music never ceased and she sought out opportunities to sing while flourishing in her first profession. Her musical career as a vocalist and bandleader was a natural next choice. Carolyn is living proof that is is possible to reinvent yourself. From classic jazz to vintage pop, she makes the standards sound new and the new sound standard. Sophistication, style and panache, Carolyn Lee Jones is as unique as each engagement where she performs. She loves what she does and brings her best talents to each, be it a public venue or private affair. Carolyn performs with her stellar group of musicians as a duo, trio, quartet, quintet, small group and big band.
Bill currently gigs in the DFW area and teaches harmony and improvisation privately.
His book Bass Motion-Chord Substitution and Improvisation is available through Jamey Aebersold’s site jazzbooks.com
Bobby Sparks II graduated from Corsicana High School in 1991. After high school graduation, he moved to the Dallas area (Mesquite TX), to study music at Eastfield College. While residing in Mesquite, he became exposed to many other budding musicians, one of whom was Kirk Franklin. Sparks having been an original member of the Kirk Franklin band served as Kirk’s music director from 1992-2005 traveling all over America and to many foreign countries playing for millions of people.
A versatile musician of drums, a little bass guitar and primarily keyboards, Bobby plays all kinds of music. In addition to playing for Kirk Franklin for 20 years, he has worked with other musical giants such as Prince, Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Tower of Power, Marcus Miller, Ray Charles, George Benson, Dave Koz, Lalah Hathaway, Roy Hargrove, Al Jarreau, Les McCann, Rahsaan Patterson, Poogie Bell, Dean Brown, Snarky Puppy, Kirk Whalum, David Sanborn, Nicolas Payton, St. Vincent and the late Wayman Tisdale..... In the Gospel World He has worked with Fred Hammond, John P. Kee, Bishop Paul Morton, CeCe Winans, Donnie McKurklin, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Joe Pace, Shirley Caesar, and V. Michael McKay among many other well-known Gospel musical personalities.
Bobby has also had the distinguished honor of playing with the Dallas-based Emerald City Band as they entertained the President and our country’s leaders at a Christmas Party that was held in the East Room of the White House.
Bobby provides music for radio and television commercials, including Tyra Banks` Top Model reality television show. He also assisted Kirk Franklin in producing the sound track for the movie, Kingdom Come as well as worked on the soundtrack for the The Prince of Egypt, He is a gifted producer with many projects to his credit including the “NuNation” project by Kirk Franklin for which he received a Grammy certificate as co-producer and another one for the "Hello Fear" record, Also a Grammy for Fred Hammond's "Free To Worship"record...
When Bobby is not touring he is steadily making music, producing projects and performing locally. On Sundays, he serves as organist for Pathway of Life Church, pastored by Pastor Danny Wegman in Dallas TX. He also plays around DFW Metroplex at upscale clubs and he plays for private parties and exclusive events.
In 2003, Bobby was invited back to Eastfield to present a concert. It was at Eastfield that his jazz improvisational skills improved greatly. Proud of his achievements and major accomplishments, Bobby was given the Key To The City of Corsicana during a `Giving Back` concert held in Corsicana. Even more recently, Bobby had the opportunity to return again to his hometown of Corsicana, Texas and present a concert at the Palace Theatre. The concert received rave reviews for the fine quality of musicianship.
Featured in Bass Player magazine, Braylon has several endorsements including: Aguliar Amplification, DR Strings and Fender guitars.
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