Tommy McQuater

Tommy McQuater (1914-2008) was a jazz trumpeter for the Jack Parnell Orchestra. He performed as part of The Muppet Show house band for the entire run. McQuater received a character showcase of sorts in the fifth season, playing horn for Lips, late addition to the Electric Mayhem. Some of his other known performances include "In the Navy" in episode 524.

Born in Maybole, Scotland, McQuater began with the cornet as a child. During WWII, he served in the RAF and helped form the military band "The Squadronaires." On his return, McQuater performed at the London Palladium and spent time with the Benny Carter and Ted Heath bands, before he joined the Jack Parnell Orchestra at ATV in the 1960s. Prior to his Muppet stint, McQuater had played with the Barry Gray Orchestra, heard on the soundtracks for Gerry Anderson's "Supermarionation" series, including Supercar, Joe 90, Thunderbirds, and Anderson's live-action series Space: 1999 (which starred Martin Landau and Nick Tate). McQuater remained active as a recording musician through the 1980s and continued to perform until 2004.