Musical collective
The way of Jeff Coffin
Image Credits: Jeff Coffin © Jeff Coffin
August 28, 2017
Former member of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and now saxophonist with Dave Matthews Band and Mu’tet, the Grammy winner Jeff Coffin is living a very busy period divided between the publication of the new album Next Time Yellow, touring with Viridian Trio and the Ear Up Records
> Ivano Rossato
You had a busy July with the Viridian Trio project and the release of Next Time Yellow.
It all started of in my 24×24 feet studio, where we do a lot of jam sessions, we just explore music, try things and see what happens. And when I recorded Next Time Yellow I decided to take a day to do my music, so I called up some of my favorite players, we set up two studio sessions that day, just to see what I could get. And I really liked what I got! So I augmented the recordings adding some overdub, did little bit of editing here and there, and I thought “Ok I’m getting to put it out”. Talkin about the Viridian Trio, the opportunity came to me to go to Tuva (Mongolia). They said “We can only pay for a trio”. So I called two good friends of mine, Felix Pastorius (bass) and Jordan Perlson (drums). We’ll probably record in September after we come back from Tuva and release with my label Ear Up Records.
It all started of in my 24×24 feet studio, where we do a lot of jam sessions, we just explore music, try things and see what happens. And when I recorded Next Time Yellow I decided to take a day to do my music, so I called up some of my favorite players, we set up two studio sessions that day, just to see what I could get. And I really liked what I got! So I augmented the recordings adding some overdub, did little bit of editing here and there, and I thought “Ok I’m getting to put it out”. Talkin about the Viridian Trio, the opportunity came to me to go to Tuva (Mongolia). They said “We can only pay for a trio”. So I called two good friends of mine, Felix Pastorius (bass) and Jordan Perlson (drums). We’ll probably record in September after we come back from Tuva and release with my label Ear Up Records.
Next Time Yellow doesn’t sound “sax and band”; is it your musical philosophy?
You get it, that’s kinda my philosophy in general! A lot of my other records are not “saxophone centric” necessarily. I write the music which is the big part of it, and I feel that my contribution is important as the other contribution as well. And because of that, I try to give people as much room as I possibly can in the recording. I look for musicians with personality, a willingness to explore, a confidence. And all these elements I hear in their sound. Also it’s important the way they leave space for a dialogue with everyone else, their willing to be part of a collective.
You get it, that’s kinda my philosophy in general! A lot of my other records are not “saxophone centric” necessarily. I write the music which is the big part of it, and I feel that my contribution is important as the other contribution as well. And because of that, I try to give people as much room as I possibly can in the recording. I look for musicians with personality, a willingness to explore, a confidence. And all these elements I hear in their sound. Also it’s important the way they leave space for a dialogue with everyone else, their willing to be part of a collective.
What is the future for record industry?
The record industry made huge mistakes years ago in not embracing the technology. They tried to stop it and all they did is to piss people off! When I rent a movie from iTunes I have 24h to watch it and then it’s gone. Where is this technology with music? So it’s kind of like Pandora’s box and now it’s open! And you can’t close it. As an artist, as a label owner, as a composer, as a educator this is the stuff I have to deal with. The thing that bothers me about the streaming services is that someone is getting rich, and it’s not the artist. I think that we, as artists, have to be entrepreneurs also, and it doesn’t mean I want to have my clothing line or a cologne or anything! But taking matter into your own hands is not a bad idea.
The record industry made huge mistakes years ago in not embracing the technology. They tried to stop it and all they did is to piss people off! When I rent a movie from iTunes I have 24h to watch it and then it’s gone. Where is this technology with music? So it’s kind of like Pandora’s box and now it’s open! And you can’t close it. As an artist, as a label owner, as a composer, as a educator this is the stuff I have to deal with. The thing that bothers me about the streaming services is that someone is getting rich, and it’s not the artist. I think that we, as artists, have to be entrepreneurs also, and it doesn’t mean I want to have my clothing line or a cologne or anything! But taking matter into your own hands is not a bad idea.
What do you suggest to a young musician who wants to be a professional?
The “Big 5 Fundamentals” are: Listening, that is the most important thing… as a human being, period. If you rearrange the letters of “listen” you obtain “silent”, isn’t that great? Tone & Dynamics is your identity. Articulation is about clarity of an idea, an intention, a vision. Pretty much always, in the world, we are surrounded by rhythms that are not in time, so we have to learn Rhythm & Time. The last thing is Harmony, the relationship between tones. All these are the roots of Music, and talking about relationship between people, of Life too!
The “Big 5 Fundamentals” are: Listening, that is the most important thing… as a human being, period. If you rearrange the letters of “listen” you obtain “silent”, isn’t that great? Tone & Dynamics is your identity. Articulation is about clarity of an idea, an intention, a vision. Pretty much always, in the world, we are surrounded by rhythms that are not in time, so we have to learn Rhythm & Time. The last thing is Harmony, the relationship between tones. All these are the roots of Music, and talking about relationship between people, of Life too!
What is the role of the artist?
We have a responsibility. Philosophically, politically and socially, I think what’s happening in this country and other countries is an aberration. I think that humanity is getting lost. So part of my responsibility is to try to inspire, to lead by example. It’s the idea that this is all connected up, I think is very important in realizing that we do have a social responsibility to other people, to humanity, to the earth, to generations that came before us and that will come after.
We have a responsibility. Philosophically, politically and socially, I think what’s happening in this country and other countries is an aberration. I think that humanity is getting lost. So part of my responsibility is to try to inspire, to lead by example. It’s the idea that this is all connected up, I think is very important in realizing that we do have a social responsibility to other people, to humanity, to the earth, to generations that came before us and that will come after.
–
Reservados todos los derechos – All rights reserved – 版權所有 – 版权所有; Musical collective The way of Jeff Coffin copyright Jazzespresso 2017.
ABOUT US / 關於我們 / 关于我们 / NOSOTROS
Jazzespresso es una revista de jazz y también un sitio web, una red, un centro que desea conectar las diferentes almas del mundo del jazz: americano, europeo, asiático, australiano y africano. Un punto de referencia multicultural en lengua inglesa, china y en castellano para los amantes de esta música en todos los países que quieren estar al tanto de lo que está ocurriendo en todo el mundo. Manténganse informados!
Jazzespresso is a jazz magazine, but also a website, a network, a hub wishing to connect the different souls of the jazz world: American, European, Asian, Australian and African. A multicultural reference point in English, Chinese and Spanish language for the lovers of this music in every Country, who want to be updated about what is happening all around the world… Stay tuned.
Jazzespresso 不只是一個爵士樂雜誌，也是一個能將擁有各種不同精髓的世界爵士樂，包括美洲、歐洲、亞洲、澳洲及非洲各地，互相連結起來的網站及交流站。以中文及英文寫成的內容將是一個新的多元文化交流的參考點，為各地的爵士音樂愛好者提供來自全世界最新的消息。請持續關注！
JazzEspresso 不只是一个爵士乐杂誌，也是一个能将拥有各种不同精髓的世界爵士乐，包括美洲、欧洲、亚洲、澳洲及非洲各地，互相连结起来的网站及交流站。以中文及英文写成的内容将是一个新的多元文化交流的参考点，为各地的爵士音乐爱好者提供来自全世界最新的消息。请持续关注！
Info: info@jazzespresso.com; Advertising / 廣告 / 广告 / Publicidad: adv@jazzespresso.com.
ABOUT US / 關於我們 / 关于我们 / NOSOTROS
Jazzespresso es una revista de jazz y también un sitio web, una red, un centro que desea conectar las diferentes almas del mundo del jazz: americano, europeo, asiático, australiano y africano. Un punto de referencia multicultural en lengua inglesa, china y en castellano para los amantes de esta música en todos los países que quieren estar al tanto de lo que está ocurriendo en todo el mundo. Manténganse informados!
Jazzespresso is a jazz magazine, but also a website, a network, a hub wishing to connect the different souls of the jazz world: American, European, Asian, Australian and African. A multicultural reference point in English, Chinese and Spanish language for the lovers of this music in every Country, who want to be updated about what is happening all around the world… Stay tuned.
Jazzespresso 不只是一個爵士樂雜誌，也是一個能將擁有各種不同精髓的世界爵士樂，包括美洲、歐洲、亞洲、澳洲及非洲各地，互相連結起來的網站及交流站。以中文及英文寫成的內容將是一個新的多元文化交流的參考點，為各地的爵士音樂愛好者提供來自全世界最新的消息。請持續關注！
JazzEspresso 不只是一个爵士乐杂誌，也是一个能将拥有各种不同精髓的世界爵士乐，包括美洲、欧洲、亚洲、澳洲及非洲各地，互相连结起来的网站及交流站。以中文及英文写成的内容将是一个新的多元文化交流的参考点，为各地的爵士音乐爱好者提供来自全世界最新的消息。请持续关注！
Info: info@jazzespresso.com; Advertising / 廣告 / 广告 / Publicidad: adv@jazzespresso.com.
