Biography Jeff Coffin

Jeff Coffin is a multi-instrumentalist from Nashville, Tennessee who plays woodwinds. Primarily a tenor saxophonist, he also plays soprano, and alto, in addition to clarinets and flutes of various sizes. After attending the University of New Hampshire and the University of North Texas, Coffin entered the Nashville music scene in 1991. He studied under Joe Lovano, under a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

He has been a member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones since March 1997, and has performed on every Flecktones album since and including "Left of Cool". Coffin has released several albums independent from the Flecktones, most notably the February 2005 release Bloom, recorded during the Flecktones year-long hiatus.

He also leads his own group the Jeff Coffin Mu'tet, which features a changing lineup, and focuses on playing original jazz compositions.

Jeff is known for playing two saxophones simultaneously, which is evidence of the influence of Rahsaan Roland Kirk on his playing. Other apparent influences include Eric Dolphy and Ornette Coleman.

On July 1, 2008, Coffin joined Dave Matthews Band for their 2008 summer tour after their saxophonist LeRoi Moore was injured in an ATV accident. Moore would succumb to his injuries on August 19. Coffin has since been in talks to be the band's permanent saxophonist.

Jeff Coffin has also played on hundreds of studio recordings, and has performed around the world including a 2007 performance at the esteemed Carnegie Hall with the Flecktones. As a highly in demand clinician, Jeff has presented clinics from Farmington, Maine to Perth, Australia and is also an internationally acclaimed Yamaha and Vandoren Performing Artist and clinician since 2000.

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