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Jeff Coffin

Jeff Coffin is a globally recognized saxophonist, composer, educator, and is a member of the legendary U.S. rock group, Dave Matthews Band. You may also know him from his 14 years, and 3 Grammy Awards, with the genre-defying Bela Fleck & the Flecktones. Jeff fronts numerous groups when not touring with DMB and has released 15+ solo CD's on Ear Up Records.

Coffin is known for his musical passion, his melodically driven compositions, his deep involvement with music education, and his continued dedication to the improvisational musical art form some call Jazz. He is one of the top, in demand, saxophonists in the world as well as a first call studio musician in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has lived since 1991.

Jeff has released 17+ solo recordings, is a Yamaha Performing Artist & Clinician, a Boston Sax Shop Ambassador, teaches improvisation at the prestigious Vanderbilt University, authored four books, produces, engineers, mixes, and runs his own critically acclaimed record label, Ear Up Records.

In 2020, Jeff began a streaming concert series during the global shutdown to benefit his fellow Nashville musicians called IN THE STUDIO from iTAStudioStreams.com, where all the proceeds go to local out of work musicians and their families. Tune in every Friday at 7PM Central Time at www.facebook.com/jeffcoffinmusic - he’ll see you there!

Awards

Grammy: Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Outbound (2001) Grammy: Best Contemporary Jazz Album, The Hidden Land (2007) Grammy: Best Pop Instrumental Album, Jingle All the Way (2009)

Gear

INSTRUMENTS & GEAR: Tenor: Yamaha Unlacquered 82Z (prototype) Freddie Gregory Custom hard rubber mouthpiece (Mark IV) Boston Sax Shop reeds Boston Sax Shop Ligature Boston Sax Shop Silver Heritage Neck Alto: Yamaha 82Z Series unlacquered body w/Boston Sax Shop Silver Heritage Neck Soprano: Yamaha 82ZR Baritone: Yamaha YBS 62 Jody Jazz HR 8 mouthpiece want more info? email JC at [email protected]

Ally Fiola & The Next Quest: Interblaze

Read "Interblaze" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
March 18, 2023

Nova Scotian alto saxophonist Ally Fiola considers the themes of grief, wonder, fear and passion with her octet The Next Quest, on Interblaze. With a lot of low-end brass--baritone saxophone, trombone, sousaphone--the sound has a New Orleans brass band feel. It is also fun, celebratory music. The title tune and opening number sounds like a prance down Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras--beads flying through the air, people in outlandish dress dancing. An insouciant organ opens “Backtrack"; the horns ...

Liner Notes

Bass Extremes: S'Low Down

by Chris Jisi
January 27, 2023

Thirty years ago, a simple pairing changed the trajectory of bass. Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten, bonded by their mutual fretboard wizardry, sharp wit, and teaching philosophies, formed Bass Extremes, and the instrument and its community were forever transformed. The concept was quite ambitious. Steve was a rapidly ascending anchor for Dizzy Gillespie, Paquito D'Rivera and the Rippingtons, who had found his voice on the 6-string fretless bass and was taking the instrument to uncharted heights, with a soon to ...

Album Review

Steve Shapiro: Plan To Be Spontaneous

Read "Plan To Be Spontaneous" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
January 21, 2023

With mallets at the fore, a solid set of originals on the program and a strong cast in the mix, vibraphonist Steve Shapiro's musical voice and vision is clear-- and really something to hear--across this seven-song set. Working under the banner of a perfectly paradoxical title, he makes his mark from a number of angles--those of soloist, harmonist, composer and bandleader--and gives his bandmates their due. Sophisticated jazz-pop sets the scene as Shapiro shares the spotlight with ...

Album Review

Steve Patrick And The Music City Orchestra: Reflections

Read "Reflections" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
July 18, 2022

Back in the 1960s, sound technologies and in-studio recording/engineering advances were developing rapidly. Labels such as Solid State and Command Records produced brilliant, acoustically enhanced recordings, many done by New York studio greats such as trumpeter Doc Severinsen. Those companies leveraged technical advances to enhance the talents of the recording artists. As a result, it was a musically rich time for record buyers. With Reflections, trumpeter Steve Patrick, long an ardent admirer of Severinsen, delivers ten selections ...

Album Review

Robben Ford: Pure

by Doug Collette
August 30, 2021

It's only fitting guitarist Robben Ford assigns a closeup of his chosen instrument to the cover of Pure. His devotion to the axe is at least equal to, if not greater than, the ardor he elicits from fretboard fanatics. But then that's a deserved devotion as the man demonstrates in less than two minutes at the very outset of his first instrumental studio album since Tiger Walk ( Blue Thumb,1997): the one-time member of Tom Scott's L.A. Express and Miles ...

Album Review

Jeff Coffin / Derek Brown: Symbiosis

Read "Symbiosis" reviewed by Robin B James

by Robin B James
February 25, 2021

Rhyming dragons and synergetic saxophilia, in seven tracks. Two monsters of the single reed doing the sway. Oh, wait, what about the rhythm section? They brought their own! This duo has the intuitive chemistry that comes only from epochs of experience playing together. Jeff Coffin on tenor saxophone, bass flute, bass clarinet, and clarinet; one finishes the other's groove. Derek Brown on the tenor saxophone, baritone baritone, saxophone percussion (that's the slap-beat thing he is famous for), and of course ...

Album Review

Jeff Coffin with Caleb Chapman's Crescent Super Band: The Inside of the Outside

Read "The Inside of the Outside" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
January 12, 2016

The first time woodwind artist Jeff Coffin heard Caleb Chapman's Crescent Super Band, he was greatly impressed--so much so that he decided to record an album with the band. You may be impressed too, especially upon learning that the Super Band, which sounds for all the world like a professional (or advanced university) ensemble, is actually comprised of high school students whose ages range from fifteen to eighteen. And in spite of its New Orleans-sounding pedigree, the Super Band is ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Jeff Coffin and the Mu'tet, Peter Martin, Funky Butt Brass Band CD Release, Thollem McDonas, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
November 19, 2014

This week's calendar of jazz and creative music in and around St. Louis includes the Jazz at the Bistro debut of a touring saxophonist who's already built up a nice local following; the release of a new album by some local favorites; shows from several fine piano players; and, as the saying goes, much more. Let's go to the highlights.... Tonight, saxophonist Jeff Coffin and his eclectic jazz-fusion group the Mu’tet will make their debut at Jazz at the Bistro ...
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Video / DVD

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Jeff Coffin and the Mu'tet

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
November 16, 2014

Today, let's spend a little time with saxophonist Jeff Coffin and the Mu'tet, who will be in St. Louis to play next Wednesday, November 19 through Saturday, November 22 at Jazz at the Bistro. Now based in Nashville, Coffin first gained wide attention in the 1990s as member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and in 2008 joined the Dave Matthews Band after the death of their original saxophonist Leroi Moore from injuries suffered in an ATV accident. The Mu'tet ...
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Festival

Jazz This Week: Fareed Haque's Mathgames, Jeff Coffin, Johnny Boyd, Old Webster Jazz and Blues Festival, the Wee Trio, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
September 19, 2013

If you've checked out the first three parts of StLJN's fall 2013 jazz preview, you already may have realized that we're heading into what could be the busiest three weeks of the season, with a wide assortment of touring musicians and special events coming up. Here's a look at the highlights of the next few days... Tonight, guitarist Fareed Haque brings his fusion band Mathgames to The Gramophone; saxophonist Chad Evans leads a quartet in a free concert for the ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Jim Pugh, Jeremy Haynes, Amina Figarova, Jazz St. Louis Gala, Jeff Coffin, Chris Botti, Dan Thomas, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
February 20, 2013

There's jazz and creative music happening early and often throughout this week in St. Louis, and so to help make sure that you don't miss anything, here's a special early edition of the weekly highlights post: Tonight, trombonist Jim Pugh is in town for a free concert at at Maryville University presented by the St. Louis Low Brass Collective. Pugh is best known for his work with Woody Herman and Chick Corea, but also has been a top studio trombonist ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Jeff Coffin and the Mutet Performance and Workshop, Tim Cunningham, Thomas Person, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
August 17, 2012

As is usual for the latter half of August, the menu of jazz and creative music for this weekend in St. Louis is light on touring performers and relatively heavy on local musicians. It'll be a few weeks before our town's various not-for-profit presenters and university music programs start their fall schedules and fatten up the calendar a bit, but in the meantime, there still are some noteworthy gigs to enjoy along with the unusually nice weather forecast for for ...
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Recording

Saxophonist Jeff Coffin & The Mu'tet To Release 6th CD, "Into The Air, Sept. 4

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity
August 8, 2012

Saxophonist/composer Jeff Coffin has maintained a singular balancing act for the last 15 years: His demanding, high-profile stints with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and Dave Matthews Band provide a creative counterweight to his thriving careers as bandleader and educator. Since 2001, he’s led the one-of-a-kind Mu’tet, whose 6th CD, Into the Air, expresses off his unique, wide-ranging musical passions and will be released by Ear Up Records on September 4. “This is not easy music to play, but these ...
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Recording

Jeff Coffin and the Mu'tet - Live! (2011)

Source: Something Else!
September 14, 2011

Saxophonist and composer Jeff Coffin, a three-time Grammy winner, traverses a fine line on Live!, a record that feels both timeless and fresh. The beauty is that he and his Mu'Tet don't stumble into the pitfalls of either concept. That is to say, Live sounds old without feeling prosaic, and new without feeling too professorial. Coffin, a member of the Dave Matthews Band since 2008 who previously had a 14-year stint in Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, recorded Live! in ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Reggie and Mardra Thomas, Jeff Coffin and Mu'tet, Funky Butt Brass Band, St. Louis Ragtimers, Cornet Chop Suey, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
July 15, 2011

It may be summer vacation time, but St. Louis' jazz players aren't taking the week off. In fact, there's quite a variety of jazz styles to be found on local stages over the next few days, from traditional to modern to fusion and beyond. Here are some of the most noteworthy shows: Tonight, drummer Maurice Carnes and the St. Louis Jazz Ensemble will play a free concert for the Jazz at Holmes series at Washington University. Carnes plays in a ...
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Performance / Tour

Jeff Coffin and the Mu'tet to Present Free Concert, Clinic on Monday, July 18 at Saxquest

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
July 13, 2011

Saxophonist Jeff Coffin (pictured) and his band the Mu'tet are returning to St. Louis for a free concert and clinic at 5:00 p.m. next Monday, July 18 at Saxquest, 2114 Cherokee St on the south side. Coffin was in St. Louis most recently last October for a performance and workshop at Saxquest. His latest CD Duet, a duo effort with Mu'tet drummer Jeff Sipe, was released in April. Besides Sipe and Coffin, best known for his work with Bela Fleck ...
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121

Education

Saxophonist Jeff Coffin of the Dave Matthews Band To Offer Free Jazz Masterclass/Performance at Cascio Interstate Music, April 9th to Benefit the Milwaukee Jazz Vision

Source: Jamie Breiwick
March 23, 2011

New Berlin, WI—Cascio Interstate Music, 13819 W. National Avenue in New Berlin, presents saxophonist Jeff Coffin, three-time Grammy-winner and member of the Dave Matthews Band plus Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. Jeff will appear on Cascio's Soundstage inside the Cascio SuperStore, from 11 amת pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011. His jazz band, Jeff Coffin & the Mu'tet will perform along with the Muskego High School Jazz Ensemble. Coffin, a strong supporter of music education, will conduct a FREE Masterclass ...
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Primary Instrument

Saxophone

Clinic/Workshop Information

Primary Instrument

Saxophone

Clinic/Workshop Information

Jeff is a renowned Yamaha Performing Artist and clinician, having presented more than 300 clinics worldwide. CLINIC OUTLINE: Jeff continues to stress and reinforce that the fundamentals are the essential building blocks or “roots” of music. “Without roots the tree doesn’t grow. The topics I cover are essential to the continued growth of ALL musicians at ALL levels.” These fundamentals are the ‘tools for your narrative.’ (JC) A solo performance by Jeff starts things off and what follows is a thoughtful, open, candid back and forth discussion with the students about what they heard…eventually re-connecting everything back to the fundamentals (The Big 5) that Coffin considers to be the most essential for students. Student participation is kindly required. “THE BIG 5″ 1. LISTENING 2. TONE & DYNAMICS 3. RHYTHM & TIME 4. ARTICULATION 5. HARMONY By addressing and discussing these elements in a way that is interesting, honest, and thought provoking as well as having Jeff musically demonstrate answers (through his playing) to many of the questions students ask helps make this a unique and inspiring approach to teaching and learning that will last far beyond the time spent in the classroom or concert hall. Past clinics include: University of North Texas, University of Southern California, Berklee College of Music, University of Miami, University of Toronto, Fisk University, North Carolina State University, University of North Florida, University of Northern Colorado, University of Northern Iowa, Andover High School (Andover, MA), New Trier High School (Winnetka, IL), Spaulding High School (Rochester, NH), University of Iowa, The Music School (American Fork, UT), Stephen F. Austin State University (Austin, TX), JazzImprov Convention (2007), IAJE (2008), University of Kentucky, Michigan State University, Ohio University, University of Georgia, University of Tennessee, University of Wisconsin, University of New Hampshire, University of Texas (Arlington), Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Perth Australia), 2011 JEN Conference, and many, many more… JC CLINIC TESTIMONIALS “Jeff Coffin’s clinic was outstanding. After a virtuoso solo saxophone demonstration he challenged the students to recall all that they had heard, which not surprisingly ended up covering just about every aspect of playing the saxophone and improvising music. Jeff’s his abilities across so many “bags,” along with his dedication to sharing his music and knowledge, is inspiring. The clinic ended with a group students performing alongside the maestro; needless to say, they were psyched.” - GARY KELLER ~ Professor of Saxophone/University of Miami “Jeff Coffin is truly a fine player and an excellent clinician. His energy is infectious.” - DAVE SEILER ~ Director of Jazz Studies/Professor of Saxophone, University of NH, Durham, NH “Jeff’s unique ability to connect with all levels of students is astounding! His clinic presentations on jazz and how to listen are very informative and deeply insightful. All students involved were totally captivated for over two hours!” - MILES OSLAND ~ Director of Jazz Studies/Professor of Saxophone, University of Kentucky “Jeff Coffin is a wonderful musician and a great clinician. His passion for the music and his sincerity toward students make a great combination. I highly recommend him.” - DR. BOB WASHUT ~ Professor of Music/University of Northern Iowa “When Jeff works as a clinician he does more than just demonstrate the masterful skills for which he has been recognized by the media and his many fans; simply put, he inspires…many of our students told me that working with Jeff has changed their lives and how they approach music.” - CALEB CHAPMAN ~ Caleb Chapman Music/Director Crescent Super Band, Orem, Utah “Having Jeff work with our students was an incredible experience. His knowledge and commitment to the music was refreshing and invigorating not just for the students, but for the music educators as well! Jeff provided an inspirational journey for everyone!!” - TONY WHITE ~ Coordinator, Performing Arts Los Angeles Unified School District, LA, CA “Having Jeff come into to play with my Jazz Ensemble has completing changed my students approach to jazz and improvisation! Before, my students were timid about soloing and playing what was in their soul. After Jeff worked with them, they were ALL eager to solo! Jeff works EXTREMELY well with both the middle school and high school age groups and will completely transform your ensemble for the better! I will be using him again!” - TOM WALLIS ~ Director, Lawrence North High School Bands, Indianapolis, IN “I had seen Jeff perform with the Flecktones on several occasions, so I knew of his ability to connect with the audience and make exciting things happen on stage. What I never imagined was his ability to connect with high school kids and make even more exciting things happen in the classroom! We had Jeff join our 125 jazz ensemble students one afternoon recently for a sax masterclass, followed by a jam session with our top band. It as magic for everyone in the room, and especially me. I strongly encourage any jazz teacher who needs to give his or her jazz students a kick in the pants to have Jeff come in for a workshop. Trust me, this guy is the real deal with kids.” - JIM WARRICK ~ Coordinator of Jazz Studies, New Trier High School, Winnetka, IL “In my fifteen years of directing our university’s premier jazz ensemble we have had the privilege of bringing in a number of the most recognized jazz artists today. While their visits to campus always leave our students inspired, never has anyone reached the students to the degree Jeff Coffin did. I have never seen them respond with the eagerness he was able to inspire in them. Whether playing his saxophone or talking about the importance of listening to music on multiple levels, his approach captured the students like I have never seen. Jeff left our campus with a new, and rather large, following. Jazz fans from the community continue to sing his praises every time I encounter them, which doesn’t surprise me since they bought every CD he brought with him within 15 minutes of the end of his appearance with our student ensemble. Given the opportunity, I would tell any high school or college jazz band director to bring Jeff Coffin in to work with your students.” - DR. GARY WURTZ ~ Director, Jazz Band, Stephen F. Austin State Univ., Nacogdoches, TX “Thanks for a wonderful clinic and concert. Our students were very pumped up about the whole experience. The concert was inspiring and very high energy, and the clinic was not only full of great information, but was presented in a way that way easy to understand. Thanks again for a great job!” - CHRIS McCORMICK ~ Director of Jazz, Tennessee Tech University “The entire process was great for the band, from announcing our first ever guest artist/clinician to stepping up the rehearsal intensity with Jeff’s music, through the clinic, rehearsal with Jeff and performance experiences. But the total impact really didn’t hit me until we played a couple gigs a week after Jeff’s visit. The band sounded better than ever, and was just plain ready to play. Members who I never before had been able to coax into improv situations stood up and played some things that worked! The interest is at an all time high, and several players have inquired about joining in the fall. The investment that we made in having Jeff work with us will continue to pay dividends for quite some time!” - TOM LUNDBERG ~ Director of Jazz, Walters State Community College, Sevierville, TN “Jeff Coffin’s performance with my University Jazz Ensemble and his clinic the next day was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in my twenty-year teaching career. Jeff’s playing was 100% excitement and his music was a ball to play. We got a standing ovation on the FIRST number! In his clinic, all the attending educators and the local music store sponsors were delighted at how accessible and inspiring Jeff was to the students. No one should miss the chance to hang with Jeff Coffin, a first-rate musician and a beautiful human being to be around.” - DR. DAVID JOYNER ~ Director of Jazz Studies/Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA “We just wanted you know that the Master Class you gave at Brighton Music Center (Pittsburgh, PA) on 9/11/06 was the best we ever had. You immediately connected with the group of students and adults that were in attendance. You have a unique ability to make learning exciting and fun. Feedback we receive has been very positive. Students especially loved the part of the class that included them playing along with you. You are an inspiration and we appreciate you sharing your knowledge of music with all of us. Don’t forget to stop and see us anytime you are in town.” - TERRY MAGURSKY & the staff at BRIGHTON MUSIC, Pittsburgh, PA “Jeff’s clinic was exciting, thought provoking, and inspirational. A masterful teacher, Jeff is able to connect with students on all levels and guide them to the next level.” - TIM ISHII ~ Director of Jazz Studies – University of Texas in Arlington, Arlington, TX “Jeff, I wanted to let you know that even a year after your visit to Andover, your presence has had lasting and far reaching effects. There is a real vacuum in a young musicians life that you fill with the kind of message you deliver. The passion and love for the artform of music is the root of it all. It’s what makes us want to be virtuoso. It’s what makes us want to seek new experiences and opens our minds and hearts to new music. It’s what keeps music in our lives, no matter what path we choose. That’s the message my kids received, and it still echoes through the room twelve months later.” - JOE WRIGHT ~ Director of Music, Andover H.S, Andover, MA “Bringing Jeff Coffin to our college was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Musically, he is in a league of his own. His playing brought the house down. But beyond that, his attitude toward music, and music education specifically, was so upbeat and positive that our participating students couldn’t help but be inspired by him. I have heard nothing but positive comments from everyone involved. He helped our students perform better than they thought they could, and that is no small accomplishment. Jeff is truly a unique individual, and a great guy. Bringing him to your school is one of the best things you could do.” - ED JACOBS ~ Asstistant Professor of Music/Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville, IL “Our experience with Jeff was totally inspirational. The concert was one of the most exciting and well attended concerts ever at our university. Not only was Jeff completely supportive of our efforts he is a wonderful clinician and educator. He didn’t just come in and blow, he took the time to work on the finer points of phrasing, feel and concepts that only an artist on his level can. I feel that his commitment to the spirit of improvisational music and composition is exactly what all university jazz ensembles need to experience. I highly recommend Jeff to any and all music programs interested in raising the bar in their ensembles.” - JOE CAPLOE ~ Director of Percussion & Jazz Studies, University of Wisconsin, Platteville “We were completely knocked out by Jeff’s creativity, energy, and enthusiasm during his campus visit at UNI. He brought skill, knowledge, and vision to his presentation, and packaged it all in real accessibility. I look forward to the opportunity to bring him back.” - CHRIS MERZ ~ Director of Jazz Studies/University of Northern Iowa “Jeff Coffin was absolutely wonderful with the students. His playing simply blew everyone away and his attitude was inspiring as well. Our band has never played that well. I wish we could bring him in every year…Jeff’s workshop on listening was excellent as well and the participants had a chance to contribute. He has a great way of drawing everyone in and making them hear the elements he thinks are important. Highly recommended!!” - STEVE GRISMORE ~ Professor of Jazz/Univ. of Iowa & Augustana U., Rock Island, IL “Jeff Coffin is an excellent clinician. He exposes students to an open approach to improvised music in a very straight forward way.” - RODNEY WHITAKER ~ Professor of Jazz, University of Michigan, Bassist ~ Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra “Jeff was a faculty member at the Maine Jazz Camp from 1992-96. He brought energy, creativity, drive, passion, and a willingness to give of himself above and beyond the boundaries of class time. Our students not only learned something about music; they learned something about themselves.” - STEVE GROVER ~ Maine Jazz Camp Director 1992-94, Faculty 1984-97

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