The Voodoo Trombone Quartet

Producer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Thorpe originated the Voodoo Trombone Quartet in 2004 as nothing more than a prank. He placed several tracks credited to the nonexistent ensemble on an online forum, presenting them as freshly unearthed material from a forgotten group. The playful fusion of vintage ska grooves and current breakbeats generated instant demand, leading forum users to request thousands of downloads. Freshly Squeezed spotted the interest, inked a deal with the “band,” and issued a self-titled debut album in 2005. Thorpe next assembled an eight-piece lineup, clothed them in suits and matching fezzes, and sent them across Europe. Festival crowds responded enthusiastically, and one track later surfaced on the series Ugly Betty. In 2008 Thorpe confirmed that a second album had reached its final stages and that the group would soon return to the road.