Troker

Troker is an instrumental jazz-funk group from Guadalajara, Jalisco, in Mexico. The band forms around a mix of jazz, funk, rock, hip-hop, trip hop and cumbia, and it is known for combining improvisation with scratch effects and other electronic textures.

Style and sound

The group’s music sits within jazz fusion and funk, but it also draws on Latin and urban styles. Its live performances move between melodic horn-led passages, denser rhythmic sections and more dance-oriented grooves. The band is associated with an energetic, eclectic approach that includes saxophone, trumpet, piano, bass, drums and turntables.

Formation and members

Troker begins as an instrumental project in Guadalajara and has a line-up that includes DJ Sonicko, Chay Flores, Diego Franco, Samo Gonzalez, Christian Jimenez, Frankie Mares and Solange Prat. Earlier descriptions of the group also identify members using the names Samo on bass, Frankie on drums, DJ Rayo on turntables, Cristian on keyboard and piano, Arturo “El Tiburón” on saxophone, and Gil on trumpet.

Recordings and collaboration

The group has a release called Jazz Vinil, recorded in Mexico at Intolerancia Records and produced by Gerry Rosado. The recording uses a traditional jazz-banding setup with acoustic drums, grand piano, double bass and brass. Steven Bernstein of Sex Mob appears as a guest trumpet player on the record.

Related projects

Members are involved in other projects as well. Samo works with Evamalva and Proyector. DJ Rayo also plays with Proyector and Los Dorados. Cristian performs with Gato Gordo, a blues group from Guadalajara. The group also mentions Los Dorados, Los Músicos de José and Telefunka as other instrumental acts from Mexico with a similar profile.

Live activity

Troker also runs a touring project called “barrio feeling”, which takes small free concerts to representative neighbourhoods in Guadalajara and is planned for other states in Mexico.