Jeff Coffin, well-traveled saxophonist/composer, and three-time Grammy Award winning member of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and the Dave Matthews Band, rejects all labels and categories other than “music” and “musician.”
Coffin has traveled the world with the Flecktones since 1997 and with DMB since 2008, performing with musicians of all walks. Some of those he has shared the stage and the recording studio include such diverse artists as Branford Marsalis, DJ Logic, New Orleans Social Club, McCoy Tyner, Baaba Maal, Mike Clark’s Prescription Trio, Chris Thile, Garth Brooks, Phish, Van Morrison, J.D. Souther, Vinnie Colaiuta, The Dixie Chicks, Bob Moses, Konger Ol Ondar, Stanton Moore, Brooks and Dunn, George Porter Jr., Umphrey’s McGee, Del McCoury, John Scofield, Yonder Mountain String Band, Marc Broussard, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Wailers and many, many others. Along the way, Coffin has absorbed an astounding range of influences. “Whether it be New Orleans Second Line, African music, Indian Ragas, folk songs, Alan Lomax field recordings, jazz, or funk,” he says, “the spirit and breath of the music is what I take away from listening and playing. It’s what decides for me whether I like it or not.”
Known for sometimes playing alto and tenor sax simultaneously, with a nod to Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Coffin seeks out the extraordinary in his saxophone sound and in his technique of improvisation. Reaching for the unique is something Jeff makes an integral part of both his playing and teaching. In addition to the Flecktones, Jeff also leads his own group, The Mu’tet which takes it’s name for the word mutation, giving way to Jeff’s belief that music is constantly changing and mutating.
Jeff Coffin has played on hundreds of recordings, and has performed around the world including a 2007 performance at the esteemed Carnegie Hall. As a highly in demand educator, Jeff has presented clinics from Farmington, Maine to Perth, Australia and is also an internationally acclaimed Yamaha and Vandoren Performing Artist/Clinician since 2000.
On drums is the legendary Jeff “Apt. Q-258” Sipe. Jeff & Jeff have been playing together for many years and Sipe recorded on the Mu’tet cd BLOOM as well as an upcoming duet project with Coffin. He is renowned for his mind bending drumming with the Aquarium Rescue Unit, Trey Anastasio, Susan Tedeschi, Phil Lesh, Project Z, Jonas Hellborg & Shawn Lane, Leftover Salmon, Alex Machacek, The Jimmy Herring Project, and many, many others. When Jeff Sipe unleashes his whirlwind of rhythms and grooves they have to be seen and, especially, heard to be believed.
Michael Seal on guitar. More TBA.
Bill Fanning rounds out the horns on trumpet. Bill has performed with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, the Mu’tet, Glenn Frye (of the Eagles), George Garzone, Jon Faddis, Maria Schneider and George Russell. In 2005, Coffin produced Bill’s debut CD, “Parakletos”. A brilliant improvisor, musician, and former semi-pro baseball player, more about Bill can be found by visiting www.fanmanmusic.com.
Felix Pastorius, son of bass great Jaco Pastorius, roots the Mu’tet on electric bass. He has been playing with the group since 2002 and is also featured on MUTOPIA. Felix recently toured the US with the Heavy Pets and has been living and playing in NYC. At 6’ 6” tall, Felix is a gifted composer and a monster bassist with the chops and sensitivity of someone twice his height.