Mutation
is defined as the changing of a structure, resulting in a variant form. That is
a clear reflection of saxophonist and 3-time Grammy® Award-winner Jeff Coffin's
philosophy that music must continue to change and mutate in order to grow. Side
Up (available November 4 on Ear Up Records), the 6th release with his
critically acclaimed band Jeff Coffin & The Mu'tet, showcases the
astounding range of influences Coffin has absorbed as an in-demand sideman to a
"who's who" of musicians.
Having
performed with Béla Fleck & the Flecktones from 1997-2010 and Dave Matthews
Band since 2008, Coffin has been traveling the globe as a saxophonist,
bandleader, composer and educator since the late 20th Century. He has shared
the stage with musicians such as Branford Marsalis, Bob Mintzer, John Scofield,
McCoy Tyner, Galactic, and Kirk Whalum, as well as a wide variety of esteemed
groups such as Phish, My Morning Jacket, Van Morrison, The Dixie Chicks,
Umphrey's McGee, Widespread Panic, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among others.
Featuring
5-time Grammy® Award-winning drummer Roy 'Futureman' Wooten, electric bassist
Felix Pastorius, trumpeter Bill Fanning and pianist/keyboardist Chris Walters,
Jeff Coffin & The Mu'tet strive to expand their horizons, as well as their
fans, with music flavored by their eclectic interests on Side Up. The
compositions blend sounds from the deep wells of New Orleans Second Line,
African music, Indian Ragas, Brazilian music, folk, Gypsy, and straight ahead jazz.
These
influences are shown throughout the album with tunes including the
African-inspired "The Scrambler" and the Indian-inspired
"Mogador" - both of which feature the breathtaking talents of tabla
master Zakir Hussain. As a nod to his jazz roots, "Steppin' Up" is
the changes to John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" done with a different
melody and in the style of a New Orleans brass band.
The
album also spotlights compositions inspired by personal experiences and
relationships. "Yukemi" was written for his wife's parents before one
of their visits to the U.S. from their home in Northern Japan. The song's title
is a combination of his wife's parents' first names Yukichi and Akemi.
Continuing on that path, "And So It Begins" was written for two
friends who were getting married at his Nashville home in 2013. "Two weeks
before they were to be married, the bride to be was diagnosed with breast
cancer (she is now cancer free!), and so they were starting a number of
journeys together," states Coffin. "It seemed like an appropriate way
to start the album."
Coffin
has assembled a world-class lineup of guests for this outing - Zakir Hussain on
tabla, Herlin Riley on tambourine, Radha Botofasina on harp, Rod McGaha and
Mike Haynes on trumpet, Roy Agee and Barry Green on trombone, Denis Solee and
Evan Cobb on tenor saxophone, Pat Bergeson on harmonica, James DaSilva on
guitar, R. Scott Bryan on congas, and Ryoko Suzuki on harmonium.
The
Mu'tet's mission is to deliver music that sends shockwaves down people's spines
with their fierce soloing and memorable compositions. Coffin and Fanning aim
for that goal sometimes by using guitar effects on their horns, which they call
'electro-sax' and 'space trumpet.' These techniques are featured on
"Scratch That Itch," one of the funkier tunes on the album, which
Coffin co-wrote with New Orleans drummer, Doug Belote and Nashville bassist
Michael Rinne.
Side Up
marks the second consecutive recording which Coffin has extensively
collaborated compositionally with The Mu'tet. Notes Coffin. "A great
lesson I learned from Béla Fleck is to give the musicians freedom in finding
their 'voices' in the music." Following that philosophy, Coffin only gave
the sidemen a skeleton of sorts, which was then worked out in rehearsals to
form an entire fleshed out body of work. Coffin continues, "These are some
of the finest musicians I have ever had the opportunity to play with. What they
bring to the musical table is astonishing."
The
members of the band have the same admiration for Coffin as well. "I've
been playing alongside Jeff Coffin now for well over a decade and I can easily
say, without a doubt, that I would not be the person or musician I am today if
it wasn't for that invitation to join The Mu'tet," reflects Pastorius who
is also currently a member of the acclaimed Yellowjackets. "For years now,
Jeff has been a constant reminder of dedication and hard work, and I believe it
is no more apparent than in his sound and his music."
Upcoming
Jeff Coffin & The Mu'tet Performances:
November
1 / Vermont Jazz Center / Brattleboro, VT
November
2 / Bridge Street Live / Collinsville, CT
November
4 / River Street Jazz Cafe / Plains, PA
November
5 / Blues Alley / Washington, DC
November
6 / DROM / New York, NY
November
7 / Clementine Cafe / Harrisonburg, VA
November
8 / Isis Music Hall / Asheville, NC
November
9 / 3rd & Lindsley / Nashville, TN
November
19 - 22 / Jazz at the Bistro / St. Louis, MO
No comments:
Post a Comment