Summary
The Coral Reefer Band is the touring and recording band of American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett (until Buffett's death in September 2023). The band's name alludes to both coral reefs (in line with Buffett's tropical-themed music) and "reefer" (slang for marijuana).
The Coral Reefer Band | |
|---|---|
 Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band perform during their Summerzcool Tour in June 2009. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Labels | |
| Members |
|
| Past members | |
Fingers Taylor, an original Coral Reefer, would discover Buffett performing solo one evening at The Hub on the University of Southern Mississippi campus in 1970.[2] This resulted in Taylor contributing harmonica accompaniment for part of the performance, the beginning of their long-term collaboration.
The band performed their final concert with Buffett on May 6, 2023, in San Diego, about three and a half months before Buffett's death in September of that year.[3] On October 30, 2023, Mac McAnally stated in an interview that the Coral Reefer Band would continue touring and performing Buffett's music at his request.[4]
The band reunited for the first time since Buffett’s passing on April 11, 2024, and served as the house band for the ‘Keep the Party Going: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett’ concert at the Hollywood Bowl. At the concert, McAnally introduced Jake Shimabukuro, Scotty Emerick and Caroline Jones as full-time members of the group.
Current line-up edit
As of 2024, the band's lineup consists of:[5]
- Doyle Grisham – pedal steel guitar (1974–1976, 1981, 1998-present)
- Michael Utley – keyboards (1975–present)
- Mick Utley - keyboards, vocals (2022-present)
- Robert Greenidge – steel drums (1983–present)
- Peter Mayer – harmony and backing vocals, lead guitar (1989–present)
- Jim Mayer – harmony and backing vocals, bass (1989–present)
- Roger Guth – drums (1989–present)
- John Lovell – trumpet (1992–present)
- Mac McAnally – lead and harmony and backing vocals, rhythm and lead and slide guitars, dobro (1994–present)
- Tina Gullickson – harmony and backing vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar (1995–present)
- Nadirah Shakoor – harmony and backing and lead vocals (1995–present)
- Eric Darken – percussion (2011–present)
- Jake Shimabukuro – Ukulele (2005–2009, 2024-present)
- Scotty Emerick - harmony and backing vocals, guitar (2024-present)
- Caroline Jones - harmony and backing vocals, guitar (2024-present)
Former members edit
Other former members of the Coral Reefer Band include:
- Jimmy Buffett – Vocals, rhythm guitar, ukulele (1974–2023; died 2023)
- Ralph MacDonald – Percussion (1974–2011; died 2011)
- Greg "Fingers" Taylor – vocals, harmonica, keyboards, percussion (1975–2000, 2007; died 2023)
- Harry Dailey – harmony and backing vocals, bass. Co-writer "Volcano." (1975–1982; died 2003)
- Philip Fajardo – Drums (1975–1976)
- Kenny Buttrey – drums, percussion (1977–1978; died 2004)
- Timothy B. Schmit – harmony and backing vocals, bass, occasional lead vocals (1983?-1986?) (Schmit coined the term Parrotheads)
- Tim Drummond – Bass Guitar (1986–1988)
- Marshall Chapman – guitar, background vocals (1987); co-writer "Last Mango in Paris," writer "The Perfect Partner"
- Jerry Jeff Walker – Guitar, background vocals, composer
- Lanny Fiel – Guitar
- Rick Fiel – Bass guitar
- Dave Haney – Bass guitar
- Paul Tabet – Drums
- Bergen White – Trombone
- Daniel "Stiles" Francisco – Trumpet
- Bobby Thompson – Banjo
- Hamilton Camp – Guitar
- Doug Bartenfeld – Guitar
- Jay Oliver – Keyboards
- Randy Goodrum – Keyboards
- Buzz Cason – Keyboards, background vocals
- Don Kloetzke – Background vocals
- Michael Jeffry – lead guitar, harmony vocals
- Josh Leo – guitar
- Vince Melamed – keyboards
- Tony Pace – Drums
- "Blind" Jay Spell – keyboards – (Died 2011)
- T.C. Mitchell – saxophones and flute (1994–2005)
- Amy Lee – saxophone. Co-writer of "Fruitcakes". (1991–2005)
- Mary Harris – Background vocals and vocal arrangements.
- Barry Chance – lead guitar, background vocals (Died 2010)
- Hadley Hockensmith – Bass
- Claudia Cummings – Background vocals (1991-1997; December 23, 1960 - October 31, 2023)
- Andy McMahon – Organ, Fender Rhodes
- Bob Naylor – Mouth Organ, backing vocals
- Matt Betton – Drums
- M.L. Benoit – Congas and percussion, background vocals
- David Briggs – Piano
- Dr. Kino Bachellier – Shakers and French
- Norbert Putnam – Upright bass
- Dominic Cortese – Accordion
- Deborah McColl – Background vocals
- Rich Calhoun - Drums
- David "Cool" Persons – Guitars, Vocals
- Reggie Young – Electric lead guitar
- Mike Gardner – Drums – (Died 1991)
- Ed "Lump" Williams – Bass guitar
- Sammy Creason – Drums
- Phil Royster – Congas
- Johnny Gimble – Fiddle
- Shane Keister – Moog synthesizer
- Vassar Clements – Fiddle
- Ferrell Morris – Percussion
- Sam Clayton – Backing Vocals, Congas, Percussion (1982–1988)
- Larry Lee – Guitar, Drums, Keyboards
- Tim Krekel – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Brie Howard – Percussion, Vocals
- Russ Kunkel – Drums
- Keith Sykes – Guitar
- Roger Bartlett [citation needed] – harmony vocals, Acoustic guitar, electric guitar. Wrote “Dallas.” (1973–1977) (the original guitarist; traveled with Jimmy as a duo in the early days)
Timeline edit
Honorary members and special guests edit
Many artists have recorded and/or appeared on stage with Buffett, earning them status as honorary Coral Reefers.[6] Some of the more notable names are listed here.
- Paul McCartney – vocals, bass
- James Taylor – vocals
- Grover Washington Jr. – saxophone
- The Oak Ridge Boys – vocals
- Sean Payton – bongos
- Clint Black – vocals, harmonica
- Ed Bradley – vocals, tambourine
- Rita Coolidge – vocals
- Steve Cropper – guitar
- Huey Lewis – vocals, harmonica
- Sheryl Crow – vocals
- Steve Winwood – vocals, organ
- Harrison Ford – whip cracks
- Glenn Frey – guitar, background vocals
- Steve Goodman – guitar
- John Hiatt – guitar
- Will Kimbrough – guitar
- J.J. Watt – percussion
- Alan Jackson – vocals
- Earl Klugh – guitar
- Nicolette Larsen – vocals
- Roy Orbison – vocals
- Bill Payne – Keyboard
- Miranda Lambert - vocals
- J.D. Souther – backing vocals
- Sonny Landreth – slide guitar
- Freddie Buffett – background vocals
- Ilo Ferreira – vocals, guitar
- Jake Shimabukuro – Ukulele (2005–2009)
- Zac Brown – guitar and vocals
- Bill Kreutzmann – drums
- Ric Flair – drums and background "woo's"
- Brian Wilson – vocals
- Eric Kincaid - Bus Driver
References edit
- ^ Steve Eng (October 15, 1997). Jimmy Buffett: The Man from Margaritaville Revealed. St. Martin's Press. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-312-16875-9.
- ^ "The Hub Where Buffett Met "Fingers"". Read the Plaque. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ Varga, George (September 2, 2023). "Jimmy Buffett, dead at 76: His final concert with his band was on May 6 in San Diego. Here's our review". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ Newman, Melinda (October 30, 2023). "Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band Plans to 'Party On' Following Singer's Death". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (October 31, 2023). "Coral Reefer Band Will 'Keep the Party Going' in Honor of Jimmy Buffett". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ "BuffettNews.com – The Coral Reefer Band". October 27, 2007. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2020.