Jeff Coffin & Derek Brown
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!
From his 30+ million views across social media to his appearance on international television and NPR’s Weekend Edition, Billboard-charting saxophonist/innovator Derek Brown and his one-of-a-kind solo “BEATBoX SAX” project has been exploding across the world music scene.
As described by jazz journalist/historian Scott Yanow, "Brown performs unaccompanied solos that occasionally make one recall Bobby McFerrin in his early prime and the great saxophonist Eddie Harris . . . utilizing slap-tonguing, circular breathing, a wide interest in musical styles and dazzling coordination to create rather unique music."
Derek has performed solo concerts in all 50 United States and over 25 countries around the world (almost 200 total international shows)! Known for his boundless energy on stage, creative audience interaction, and musical depth, Derek’s live shows always surprise and delight. His ongoing “BEATBoX SAX” music videos and tutorials on YouTube have been enormously popular among saxophonists and music lovers alike (over 150,000 Youtube subscriptions), leading to endorsements with Legere, JodyJazz, P.Mauriat, BG France, and AKG.
Previously the director of jazz studies at Abilene Christian University for six years, Derek received his BM in Music Performance (Classical and Jazz) from Hope College in 2006 and his MM in Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music in 2008.
Crossing genres from jazz to classical to funk, without looping or electronic effects, saxophone innovator Derek Brown’s unique playing style must be seen in person to be believed!