Dr. Ben Thomas

Music Dept. Coordinator
Email: bthomas@highline.edu
Phone: (206) 592-4294
Location: Building. 4, Room 103
Personal website: Notes by Ben

In demand as a performer and educator, Ben Thomas combines an energetic performance technique with a distinctive compositional style. As a vibraphonist, percussionist, and bandoneon player, he can be found playing tango, jazz, chamber music and Latin jazz throughout the Northwest.

Ben has released four albums of original compositions on Origin Records as a leader or co-leader, including The Madman’s Difference, The Mystagogue, and Triskaidekaphobia. His most recent CD, Yet What Is Any Ocean…, was declared “an outstanding album with some interesting compositions and performances alike” by allmusic.com.

In addition to leading tango and Latin jazz groups, Ben co-leads TORCH, a chamber group dedicated to both 20th century music and original compositions. Since 2005, Ben has been a member of Brazilian pianist/composer Jovino Santos Neto’s Quinteto. Their most recent album is Current on the Adventure Music label.

Dr. Cisco Orozco

Email: corozco@highline.edu
Phone: (206) 592-4088
Location: Building 5, Room 104

Originally from Oakland, CA, I arrived in Seattle in 2003 to pursue my academic interests in son jarocho and fandango, and Latin@ popular music. I eventually earned a doctorate degree in ethnomusicology in 2012 from the University of Washington. Some of my collaborative work over the years include researching the “Chicano Soul” scene of 1960’s San Antonio, working as associate curator on the ground-breaking exhibit and website, “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music,” teaching in the departments of Music and American Ethnic Studies, studying the art of capoeira, participating in the Seattle Fandango Project, and performing with De Cajon Project.