Jeff Coffin
Encyclopedia
Jeff Coffin is an American jazz
and alternative rock
musician best known as the saxophonist for Dave Matthews Band
and Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
. In addition to the saxophone, he plays clarinet
, flute
and oboe
.
, Coffin moved on to study at the University of North Texas
, where he graduated with a B.A. in Music Education in 1990. A recipient of a Jazz Studies grant from the NEA
, in 1991, he continued to study under the tutelage of Joe Lovano
, and began taking students of his own. Although he moved outside the confines of the educational realm, entering the Nashville music scene during the same year, he continued to be interested in teaching about music.
since March 1997, and performed on every Flecktones
album from 1998's Left of Cool
through 2008's "Jingle All the Way
".
Coffin is still listed as a band member on the Flecktones website, but he has stated that touring requirements for Dave Matthews Band preclude his touring with The Flecktones. He does not appear on the latest album, Rocket Science
, which features original band member Howard Levy
in his place.
Coffin has released several albums independent from the Flecktones, most notably the February 2005 release Bloom
, recorded during the Flecktones year-long hiatus. He is well known for playing two saxophones (alto and tenor) at the same time, a technique popularized by Roland Kirk. He recently played clarinet for The Waifs
new album Sun Dirt Water
.
(DMB) for their 2008 summer tour after saxophonist LeRoi Moore
was injured in an ATV
accident. Though the stint was originally planned to be temporary, Moore died unexpectedly of complications from his injuries on August 19, 2008, and Coffin has remained with the band since. Among other things, he completed the saxophone work Moore had left unfinished on DMB's most recent studio album, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
.
s to Colleges and Universities around the world. They have won him accolades from a number of Professors, who feel Coffin's ability to excite their students has helped their students become less reticent about performing.
Coffin is an internationally acclaimed Yamaha and Vandoren Performing Artist and clinician since 2000.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
musician best known as the saxophonist for Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
and Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones is a primarily instrumental group from the United States, that draws equally on bluegrass, fusion and jazz, sometimes dubbed "blu-bop". The band formed in 1988, initially to perform once on the PBS series Lonesome Pine Specials. The Flecktones have toured extensively...
. In addition to the saxophone, he plays clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
, flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
and oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
.
Biography
After attending the University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire is a public university in the University System of New Hampshire , United States. The main campus is in Durham, New Hampshire. An additional campus is located in Manchester. With over 15,000 students, UNH is the largest university in New Hampshire. The university is...
, Coffin moved on to study at the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
, where he graduated with a B.A. in Music Education in 1990. A recipient of a Jazz Studies grant from the NEA
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
, in 1991, he continued to study under the tutelage of Joe Lovano
Joe Lovano
Joseph Salvatore "Joe" Lovano is a post bop jazz saxophonist, alto clarinetist, flautist, and drummer. Since the late 1980s, Lovano has been one of the world's premiere tenor saxophone players, earning a Grammy award and several nods on Down Beat magazine's critics' and readers' polls...
, and began taking students of his own. Although he moved outside the confines of the educational realm, entering the Nashville music scene during the same year, he continued to be interested in teaching about music.
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
He has been a member of Béla Fleck and the FlecktonesBéla Fleck and the Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones is a primarily instrumental group from the United States, that draws equally on bluegrass, fusion and jazz, sometimes dubbed "blu-bop". The band formed in 1988, initially to perform once on the PBS series Lonesome Pine Specials. The Flecktones have toured extensively...
since March 1997, and performed on every Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones is a primarily instrumental group from the United States, that draws equally on bluegrass, fusion and jazz, sometimes dubbed "blu-bop". The band formed in 1988, initially to perform once on the PBS series Lonesome Pine Specials. The Flecktones have toured extensively...
album from 1998's Left of Cool
Left of Cool
Left of Cool is the fifth studio album released by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, released in 1998.-History:Left of Cool is the first album to feature Jeff Coffin, who had already toured with the band after the departure of Howard Levy...
through 2008's "Jingle All the Way
Jingle All the Way (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones album)
Jingle All the Way is a Christmas album and the thirteenth album overall by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. Released in 2008 under Rounder, it marks the band's first record since their departure from Columbia. Jingle All the Way reached #1 on the Top Contemporary Jazz chart, the group's first album...
".
Coffin is still listed as a band member on the Flecktones website, but he has stated that touring requirements for Dave Matthews Band preclude his touring with The Flecktones. He does not appear on the latest album, Rocket Science
Rocket Science (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones album)
Rocket Science is a studio album by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, released in 2011. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Jazz chart and number 36 on the Top Independent Albums chart....
, which features original band member Howard Levy
Howard Levy
Howard Levy is a Grammy Award–winning, American harmonicist, pianist, composer, and producer....
in his place.
Coffin has released several albums independent from the Flecktones, most notably the February 2005 release Bloom
Bloom (Jeff Coffin album)
Bloom was the fourth album released by Jeff Coffin, released in 2005. This album was the second album recorded and released with the Mu'tet, a constantly changing group of guest musicians that play with Coffin.-Track listing:...
, recorded during the Flecktones year-long hiatus. He is well known for playing two saxophones (alto and tenor) at the same time, a technique popularized by Roland Kirk. He recently played clarinet for The Waifs
The Waifs
The Waifs are an Australian folk rock band formed in 1992 by Josh Cunningham , and sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson...
new album Sun Dirt Water
Sun Dirt Water
Sun Dirt Water is the sixth album and fifth studio album by Australian folk rock band The Waifs. It was released by Jarrah Records on 1 September 2007...
.
Dave Matthews Band
On July 1, 2008, Coffin joined Dave Matthews BandDave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
(DMB) for their 2008 summer tour after saxophonist LeRoi Moore
Leroi Moore
LeRoi Holloway Moore was an American saxophonist best known as a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band. Moore often arranged music for the songs written by frontman Dave Matthews...
was injured in an ATV
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
accident. Though the stint was originally planned to be temporary, Moore died unexpectedly of complications from his injuries on August 19, 2008, and Coffin has remained with the band since. Among other things, he completed the saxophone work Moore had left unfinished on DMB's most recent studio album, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King
The track listing was made available on April 14 on the Dave Matthews Band website, and the first single from the album, "Funny the Way It Is", was made available for free download on the Dave Matthews Band website for the week of 14 April 2009.-Little Red Bird:...
.
Mu'tet
Since the late '90s Jeff has been recording and touring with his own band Mu'tet: Bill Fanning - trumpet, Jeff Sipe - drums, Kofi Burbridge - keys & flute, Felix Pastorius - bass. Recordings: Outside the Lines (1998 Artifex Records), Commonality (1999 Compass Records), Go-Round (2001 Compass Records), Bloom (2005 Compass Records), Mutopia (2008 Compass Records). Tour dates: http://www.jeffcoffin.com/calendar.htmlTeaching
Coffin has given over 125 clinics from Junior High schoolMiddle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
s to Colleges and Universities around the world. They have won him accolades from a number of Professors, who feel Coffin's ability to excite their students has helped their students become less reticent about performing.
Coffin is an internationally acclaimed Yamaha and Vandoren Performing Artist and clinician since 2000.
With Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
- Left of CoolLeft of CoolLeft of Cool is the fifth studio album released by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, released in 1998.-History:Left of Cool is the first album to feature Jeff Coffin, who had already toured with the band after the departure of Howard Levy...
- (1998) - Greatest Hits of the 20th CenturyGreatest Hits of the 20th CenturyGreatest Hits of the 20th Century is the seventh album released by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and their first greatest hits compilation album.- Reception :...
- (1999) - Outbound - (2000) - (2001 Grammy winner)
- Live at the QuickLive at the QuickLive at the Quick is the ninth album released by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and their second live album. It was recorded live at the Quick Center For The Arts in Fairfield, Connecticut in 2000.- Reception :...
(2002) - (CD & DVD) - Little WorldsLittle WorldsLittle Worlds is the tenth album by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, released in 2003. The album was released as a 3-disc set. Ten tracks from the set were also released on a single disc called Ten from Little Worlds....
- (2003) - The Hidden LandThe Hidden LandThe Hidden Land is the eighth studio album and twelfth album overall released by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, released in 2006. It was recorded before the band's year-long hiatus during 2005 and released afterward...
- (2006) - (2006 Grammy winner) - Jingle All the WayJingle All the Way (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones album)Jingle All the Way is a Christmas album and the thirteenth album overall by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. Released in 2008 under Rounder, it marks the band's first record since their departure from Columbia. Jingle All the Way reached #1 on the Top Contemporary Jazz chart, the group's first album...
- (2008) - (2009 Grammy winner)
Jeff Coffin Mu'tet
- Go-RoundGo-RoundGo-Round was the third album released by Jeff Coffin, released in 2001. This album was the first album recorded and released with the Mu'tet, a constantly changing group of guest musicians that play with Coffin.-Track listing:...
- (2001) - BloomBloom (Jeff Coffin album)Bloom was the fourth album released by Jeff Coffin, released in 2005. This album was the second album recorded and released with the Mu'tet, a constantly changing group of guest musicians that play with Coffin.-Track listing:...
- (2005) - Mutopia - (2008)
With Jonathan Scales
- Plot/SchemeJonathan ScalesJonathan Scales is an American steel pannist and composer. He has recorded and produced three albums, the most recent being Character Farm and Other Short Stories, released in April 2011. Since 2007, Scales has recorded and performed with Roy "Future Man" Wooten, Jeff Coffin, Jeff Sipe, Casey...
- (2008) - Character Farm and Other Short Stories - (2011)
With Dave Matthews Band
- The Best of What's Around Vol. 1 (Encore CD) - (2006)
- Live at Mile High Music FestivalLive at Mile High Music FestivalLive at Mile High Music Festival is a live album by the Dave Matthews Band from the 2008 Mile High Music Festival outside Denver, Colorado. In its first week of sales, the album debuted at #97 on the US charts...
- (2008) - Live Trax 2008Live Trax 2008Live Trax 2008 is a live album by Dave Matthews Band featuring eight live tracks recorded during the band's summer 2008 tour. The album is available only as a digital download from the iTunes Store....
- (2008) - Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux KingBig Whiskey and the Groogrux KingThe track listing was made available on April 14 on the Dave Matthews Band website, and the first single from the album, "Funny the Way It Is", was made available for free download on the Dave Matthews Band website for the week of 14 April 2009.-Little Red Bird:...
- (2009) - Live Trax Vol. 15Live Trax Vol. 15Live Trax Vol. 15 is a live album by Dave Matthews Band, and is the 15th volume in the band's Live Trax series. The album was recorded on August 9, 2008 at Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, Wisconsin....
- (2009) - Europe 2009Europe 2009Europe 2009 is a live album and video release by the Dave Matthews Band from several 2009 concerts in Italy and London. The concert on the three CDs was held in Piazza Napoleone in Lucca, Italy on July 5, 2009. The concert featured on the DVD was at Brixton Academy in London, England on June 26,...
- (2009) - Live Trax Vol. 19Live Trax Vol. 19Live Trax Vol. 19 is a live album by the Dave Matthews Band and the 19th volume in the band's Live Trax series. The album was recorded at Vivo Rio, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on September 30, 2008. The album was released on November 5, 2010...
- (2010) - Live in New York CityLive in New York City (Dave Matthews Band)Live in New York City is a live album by Dave Matthews Band recorded on July 17, 2010 at Citi Field in Queens. The album was recorded on the second night of a two night stint at the venue...
- (2010) - Live at Wrigley FieldLive at Wrigley FieldLive at Wrigley Field is a live album by Dave Matthews Band recorded on September 18th, 2010 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The album was recorded on the second night of a two night stint at the venue...
- (2011)
With Umphrey's McGee
- MantisMantis (album)- Level 1 :- Level 2 :- Level 3 :- Level 4 :- Level 5 :- Level 6 :- Level 7 :- Level 8 :- Level 9 :The entire set from the 1/19 CD release show at the Vic Theatre is also included in level 9.- Album :- Personnel :...
- (2009) - Death By StereoDeath By Stereo (album)-Bonus Tracks:...
- (2011)