Voodoo Five
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“Creative genius.” – Exotica Moderne “A masterpiece.” – Crown Royal “Top of the class.” – JazzTimes |
In just three years, Voodoo Five have carved out a sound all their own—an intoxicating blend of exotica, Latin rhythms, and classic Hollywood film-score drama. Led by guitarist/composer Skip Heller and vocalist Lena Marie Cardinale—“the Johnny and June of exotica” (Pasadena Weekly)—the band features an all-star lineup: Jay Work (Bonedaddys) on flute, John McDuffie (Rita Coolidge, Engelbert Humperdinck) on steel guitar, Paul Eckman (Orchestra Superstring, Hot Club of Los Angeles) on upright bass, percussionists Cesar Ventura (Boogaloo Assassins) and Andres Ocampo (Los Chicos del Mambo), and vibraphonist K’ly Carey.
Lena Marie first made her mark with the Los Angeles Opera, later touring with the legendary El Vez and building a reputation on the L.A. jazz circuit. Skip has produced, played, and recorded with icons including Yma Sumac, Robert Drasnin, Joe Bataan, NRBQ, Todd Rundgren, Bootsy Collins, Big Jay McNeely, and Wanda Jackson, and has written music for The Bernie Mac Show, Sesame Street, and Dexter’s Laboratory. The two met while performing at a 100th-birthday tribute for Yma Sumac, began working together soon after, and married in 2024.
Voodoo Five was born after Skip noticed a surprising lack of traditional exotica at the first Exotikon Festival in June 2023. Within a month the band was rehearsing, recording, and booking shows. Their first two albums—the self-titled debut and the desert-themed Mojave After Dark—earned rave reviews not only from exotica/tiki outlets, but also from jazz and surf publications. In 2025 they recorded with Jello Biafra, releasing a cover of the Dead Kennedys’ “Moon Over Marin” on his Alternative Tentacles label, and solidified the current lineup with McDuffie on steel guitar and K’ly Carey on vibes. As flautist Jay Work puts it, “After the first gig with K’ly, the rest of us went home and started practicing.”
The band has built a devoted following through appearances at festivals like Caliente, Tiki Oasis, and Big Tiki Woo Woo, as well as residencies at Seven Grand (Los Angeles) and The Bamboo Club (Long Beach) and opening slots for national acts including Southern Culture on the Skids. Their new album, Hypnocoin, is set for release in January.