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 lessons early at the age of 5, but Ben started taking music more seriously when he chose to play the saxophone in 6th grade. Through the band programs, private instruction with local legend Martin Langford, and his fathers church where he became a worship leader at age 12, Ben excelled in music and was exposed to many different styles. Martin Langford introduced him to great saxophone players who improvised in the many different styles 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, RSVP, and Hungry Jaxx. He has also performed with Snarky Puppy and Foley.
Gear
Tenor: Cannonball Big Bell - The Raven
T. Mouthpiece: Morgan, Excalibur
"Tenorist Ben Bohorquez displays his silken tone in a very relaxed solo."
- Liner notes for A Portrait of LadyMay
"Saxophone player Ben Bohorquez was especially adept at picking up the
musical thread and spinning an incredibly complex web of sounds that always
dazzled the audience. I have seen plenty of talented saxophonists, but I found
myself wondering what it was about Ben's playing in particular that makes him
stand out as extraordinary. I pondered for awhile before coming to the
conclusion that it's not just his immense talent, because I've seen plenty of
players who have the talent but don't always come across that way
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"Tenorist Ben Bohorquez displays his silken tone in a very relaxed solo."
- Liner notes for A Portrait of LadyMay
"Saxophone player Ben Bohorquez was especially adept at picking up the
musical thread and spinning an incredibly complex web of sounds that always
dazzled the audience. I have seen plenty of talented saxophonists, but I found
myself wondering what it was about Ben's playing in particular that makes him
stand out as extraordinary. I pondered for awhile before coming to the
conclusion that it's not just his immense talent, because I've seen plenty of
players who have the talent but don't always come across that way. The
unique thing about Ben's solos is that he owns it every single time. He puts
notes in places where you wouldn't think they'd go. But because of his
confidence and panache, they fit perfectly. He's one of those players that play
exactly what you want to hear before you know you want to hear it."
- Laurel Johnston
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Primary Instrument
Saxophone, tenor
Willing to teach
Beginner to advanced
Credentials/Background
I enjoy teaching. I like to use your individual interests to influences the areas of
music that we focus on. I try to teach people the tools they need to understand
how to analyze their favorite songs.
Saxophone/flute/clarinet, piano, arranging/composition.