Jeff Coffin, well-traveled saxophonist/composer, and three-time Grammy Award winning member of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and the Dave Matthews Band, rejects all labels and categories other than "music" and "musician."
Coffin has traveled the world with the Flecktones since 1997 and with DMB since 2008, performing with musicians of all walks. Some of those he has shared the stage and the recording studio include such diverse artists as Branford Marsalis, DJ Logic, New Orleans Social Club, McCoy Tyner, Baaba Maal, Mike Clark's Prescription Trio, Chris Thile, Garth Brooks, Phish, Van Morrison, J.D. Souther, Vinnie Colaiuta, The Dixie Chicks, Bob Moses, Konger Ol Ondar, Stanton Moore, Brooks and Dunn, George Porter Jr., Umphrey's McGee, Del McCoury, John Scofield, Yonder Mountain String Band, Marc Broussard, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Wailers and many, many others. Along the way, Coffin has absorbed an astounding range of influences. "Whether it be New Orleans Second Line, African music, Indian Ragas, folk songs, Alan Lomax field recordings, jazz, or funk," he says, "the spirit and breath of the music is what I take away from listening and playing. It's what decides for me whether I like it or not."

Known for sometimes playing alto and tenor sax simultaneously, with a nod to Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Coffin seeks out the extraordinary in his saxophone sound and in his technique of improvisation. Reaching for the unique is something Jeff makes an integral part of both his playing and teaching. In addition to the Flecktones, Jeff also leads his own group, The Mu'tet which takes it's name for the word mutation, giving way to Jeff's belief that music is constantly changing and mutating.

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

On drums is the legendary Jeff “Apt. Q-258” Sipe. Jeff & Jeff have been playing together for many years and Sipe recorded on the Mu’tet cd BLOOM as well as an upcoming duet project with Coffin. He is renowned for his mind bending drumming with the Aquarium Rescue Unit, Trey Anastasio, Susan Tedeschi, Phil Lesh, Project Z, Jonas Hellborg & Shawn Lane, Leftover Salmon, Alex Machacek, The Jimmy Herring Project, and many, many others. When Jeff Sipe unleashes his whirlwind of rhythms and grooves they have to be seen and, especially, heard to be believed.

Kofi Burbridge on keyboards and flute brings his not-so-secret Weapons of Mass deFunkstruction to the Mu’tet. You better watch your back! Kofi is best known for his work with Derek Trucks Band and for being one of the most gifted improvisers on the music scene…PERIOD! Kofi is featured on the latest Mu’tet release MUTOPIA. Kofi has recently recorded with the legendary HERBIE HANCOCK!

Bill Fanning rounds out the horns on trumpet. Bill has performed with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, the Mu'tet, Glenn Frye (of the Eagles), George Garzone, Jon Faddis, Maria Schneider and George Russell. In 2005, Coffin produced Bill's debut CD, "Parakletos". A brilliant improvisor, musician, and former semi-pro baseball player, more about Bill can be found by visiting www.fanmanmusic.com.

Felix Pastorius, son of bass great Jaco Pastorius, roots the Mu’tet on electric bass. He has been playing with the group since 2002 and is also featured on MUTOPIA. Felix recently toured the US with the Heavy Pets and has been living and playing in NYC. At 6’ 6” tall, Felix is a gifted composer and a monster bassist with the chops and sensitivity of someone twice his height.

Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bobby Shew began playing the guitar at the age of eight and switched to the trumpet at ten. By the time he was thirteen he was playing at local dances with a number of bands and by fifteen had put together his own group to play at dances, occasional concerts and in jazz coffee houses. He spent most of his high school days playing as many as six nights a week in a dinner club, giving him an early start to his professional career.

He then spent three years as the jazz trumpet soloist in the famed NORAD multi-service band. Shortly after leaving he joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Sam Donahue, which, among other things, gave him the chance to perform quite a bit with trumpet legend Charlie Shavers. After his stint with Tommy Dorsey, Bobby was asked to play with Woody Herman's band upon Bill Chase's recommendation. He then spent some time playing for Della Reese and Buddy Rich, who's big band had just been formed.

Many other similar situations followed and Bobby played lead trumpet for a number of pop stars. This brought Bobby to live in Las Vegas where he became prominent in various hotels and casinos. By this time Bobby was widely known for his strong lead playing rather than as a jazz soloist. So late in 1972 he decided to make a move to the Los Angeles area in order to get reinvolved in developing as a jazz player.

Once in Los Angeles, Bobby quickly found what he was looking for, and in the years to come he spent time with the groups of Art Pepper, Bud Shank, Horace Silver Quintet, and Frank Strazzeri-Sam Most, as well as numerous big bands such as Bill Holman, Louie Bellson, Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin, Oliver Nelson, Bill Berry, Nat Pierce-Frank Capp Juggernaut, Ed Shaughnessy, Terry Gibbs, Benny Goodman, Maynard Ferguson, Neal Hefti, Don Menza, and Bob Florence.

In addition to being a sideman, Bobby also became a leader around this time, recording many of his own albums. Several of these received very high accolades from critics and high placement on the airplay charts. One of his albums, 'Outstanding In His Field' was nominated for a Grammy in 1980, while, 'Heavy Company' was awarded the Jazz Album Of The Year in 1983.

During this time Bobby also found a great deal of studio work, including TV shows like 'Hawaii 5-O', 'Streets Of San Francisco', 'Bob Newhart', 'Mary Tyler Moore', 'Midnight Specials', 'Don Kirschner Rock Concert', 'Happy Days', 'Laverne And Shirley', and 'Eight Is Enough.' His work on soundtracks includes 'Grease I and II', 'Rocky I and II', 'Six-Pack', 'The Muppet Movie', 'The Drivers', and 'Taxi'.

Today, in addition to a busy performing and private teaching schedule, Bobby spends a considerable amount of time actively involved in the educational system, conducting clinics and master classes at high schools and college campuses all over the world. Bobby has also been active on the Board of Directors of the International Trumpet Guild, and has acted as National Trumpet Chairman for the International Association of Jazz Educator's for 16 years. He authors numerous articles of educational interest in various trade magazines, all translated into several languages for worldwide distribution. During a period of traveling to New Zealand, Bobby acted as host for a weekly TV show entitled 'Just Jazz' and has been in numerous artist-in-residence situations virtually all over the world. He has even had a few minor acting roles in movies and TV shows.

Professor of Jazz Bass Studies at Pacific Lutheran University

Clipper Anderson is one of the Northwest's leading Bassists. Playing all styles on acoustic and electric bass, Clipper is a composer, studio musician, vocalist, and educator. He was described in Seattle's premier jazz magazine Earshot as being "...a player for the connoisseur to savor" and most recently made the cover interview in the December 2008 issue of Jazz Profile Magazine.

The list of recordings on which Clipper appears is both long and impressive, including several with award winning Seattle jazz vocalist, Greta Matassa.  He has recently performed with jazz artists, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Terry Gibbs, Peter Erskine, Bob Berg, James Moody, Jack Jones, Paquito D'Rivera, and Buddy DeFranco.

Clipper appears in jazz festivals throughout the Northwest and Canada and has been a featured guest artist, annually, at the Buddy DeFranco/U of M Jazz Festival and the Port Townsend Jazz Festival. He currently teaches jazz bass studies at Pacific Lutheran University.

Low Brass Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at Univeristy of Montana

Lance Boyd is the UM Jazz Director and low brass instructor at The University of Montana-Missoula. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he received his Bachelors of Music Education degree as well as his Master of Fine Arts degree in trombone performance. While attending the University of Minnesota, Lance studied with Larry Weinman and Steven Zellmer who were the bass trombonist and principal trombonist in the Minneapolis Symphony at the time.

In 1970, Lance took over the jazz band at The University of Montana-Missoula and developed what is now known as the UM Jazz Program consisting of three big bands, several combos, and courses in jazz improvisation and jazz history. In 1980, the first UM Jazz Festival was organized and it has become an annual event featuring top artists and educators in jazz and attracting high school and college bands from all over the Pacific Northwest.

Many of Lance's students have gone on to outstanding careers in music. Graduates of his studio have been accepted by many of the top universities and conservatories to continue their study of music and performance. Others have distinguished themselves in the field of music education and have become leaders in the instrumental music world.

Assistant Director of Jazz Studies and Trumpet at UT Arlington

Ken Edwards, trumpet and flugelhorn player, has been an active freelance musician in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for the past 10 years. Ken was a featured soloist while on tour with the legendary jazz trumpeter, Maynard Ferguson, and played on Ferguson's final studio album, The One and Only (MF Music). Ken has shared the stage with many well-known artists, such as Joe Lovano, Lew Soloff, and recorded alongside Wayne Bergeron, Chip McNeill and Steve Wiest. Ken has also recorded with Stockton Helbing, Brian Mulholland, the UNT One O'clock Lab Band, Dan Bruce, The Dallas Original Jazz Orchestra, The Mark Tonelli Group and Jerrod Daniel, to name a few. Originally playing tuba and trombone, Ken made the switch to trumpet in college and earned his B.M. from the University of Texas Arlington and his M.M in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas. He currently teaches at the University of Texas Arlington.

Don Owens

Retired Northwestern University Director of Jazz Studies

Don Owens, Coordinator Emeritus of the Jazz Studies and Pedagogy Program, Director Emeritus, Contemporary Music Ensemble, and the National High School Music Institute at Northwestern University, began his tenure at Northwestern University in 1979.  He retired in 2005.  Before coming to Northwestern, he taught for twelve years at Evanston (Illinois) Township High School where his duties included directing band, brass ensembles, and jazz band, as well as teaching classes in music theory, popular music, and composition.  He created the Electronic Music Studio at ETHS in 1971.

Owens received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from North Texas State University, where he also studied Composition and Jazz.  His Master of Musical Arts degree is from the University of Illinois, where he majored in Composition.  He studied composition with Morgan Powell, Merrill Ellis, Samuel Adler, and Salvatore Martirano.  He has won several grants and awards, and is regularly commissioned for new works.

Mr. Owens is the composer/arranger of over 100 works, including those for band, jazz band, orchestra, choir, and chamber music.  His music is available from the composer via Phramus Music Publications.  Owens is the author of several articles dealing with contemporary music.  He is a member of M.E.N.C, Illinois Music Educators Association, International Association for Jazz Education (Past President for the Illinois State Unit), Pi Kappa Lambda (Past President of Alpha Chapter), and Phi Mu Alpha.

Director of Jazz Studies and Saxophone at UT Arlington

Director of Jazz Studies/Saxophone Tim Ishii is in his seventh year of teaching at UT Arlington. Since his arrival in Fall 2004, the UT Arlington Jazz Orchestra has maintained a busy performance schedule. The Jazz Orchestra was the featured guest big band at the 2005 Coyote Jazz Festival in Weatherford, Texas also featuring Tim as artist/clinician with the Weatherford College Faculty Jazz Ensemble. The UT Arlington Jazz Orchestra was also one of eight, college/university jazz bands selected from coast to coast to participate in the 2005 Addison Jazz Festival, Addison, Texas. Other highlights include performances at the 2005 and 2006 Wichita Jazz Festival, 2008 Texas Music Educators Conference, as well as numerous performances throughout the Dallas/ Fort Worth Metroplex. In 2009, the UT Arlington Jazz Orchestra was selected as the outstanding college jazz band at the UNT/Addison Jazz Festival.

Tim is sought after as a performer and clinician at the state and national level and He has made presentations and performed at the Texas Music Educators Association Conference, conducted numerous high school all-region jazz bands. In January 2006, Tim was invited to be the guest conductor/clinician of the New Mexico All-State High School Jazz Ensemble in Las Cruces, NM.

Tim maintains a busy freelance schedule and has performed with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and Texas Wind Symphony.

He has backed and performed alongside numerous artists including: Natalie Cole, Temptations, Doc Severinson, Clark Terry, James Moody, Slide Hampton, Bob Mintzer, Pete Christlieb, Jimmy Heath, Bobby Militello, and many others.

Tim is also a founding member of Thrascher, a contemporary saxophone quartet. He is an Artist/Clinician for Conn-Selmer and D’Addario.

In the jazz world Bob Mintzer is a household name, usually associated with being a saxophonist, bass clarinetist, composer, arranger, leader of a Grammy winning big band, member of the Yellowjackets, and educator.

Bob has written over 200 big band arrangements spanning a 34 year career, many of which are performed all over the world by both student and pro bands. His own big band has been nominated for 4 Grammy awards and won a Grammy for best large jazz ensemble recording in 2001 with Homage to Count Basie on the DMP label. Bob has recorded 26 solo recordings with both big band and small jazz ensembles. He is an 18 year member of the Grammy award winning band Yellowjackets, and has recorded 12 cds with them. Bob tours 4 months out of the year with the ‘Jackets’. Bob has published 4 jazz etude books (Belwin Jazz), a solo transcription book (Belwin Jazz), a saxophone method book (Kendor Music), 4 saxophone quartets (kendor music), close to 200 big band arrangements (Kendor Music, Belwin Jazz), and has composed several pieces for orchestra. His "Rhythm of the Americas" piece for sax quartet and orchestra (or concert band) was premiered in 2001 by the American Saxophone Quartet and the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. His "Concertino for Tenor Saxophone, Strings and Winds" was premiered in NYC by the St Lukes Chamber Ensemble in 1992.

Bob has had a diverse career as a free lance musician in New York City. He has recorded with people like Steve Winwood, James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, and Queen. He’s toured with Buddy Rich, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Jaco Pastorius, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri. He’s worked with the New York Philharmonic, American Ballet Theatre. Bob has been on the faculty of Manhattan School of Music and recently joined the faculty of USC in Los Angeles. He performs 20 workshops at universities all over the globe annually.

Wycliffe Gordon enjoys an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator, receiving high praise from audiences and critics alike. Gordon tours the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz for audiences ranging from heads of state to elementary school students. Gordon received the Jazz Journalists Association 2008, 2007, 2006, 2002 and 2001 Award for Trombonist of the Year, and the Jazz Journalists Association 2000 Critics’ Choice Award for Best Trombone.

In addition to a thriving solo career, he tours regularly leading the Wycliffe Gordon Quartet, headlining at legendary jazz venues throughout the world. Gordon is a former veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and has been a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor's "Jazz at the Kennedy Center" Series. Gordon’s extensive performance experience includes work with many of the most renowned jazz performers of the past and present.

Gordon’s musical prowess has been captured on numerous recordings, including thirteen solo CDs and seven co-leader CDs. His latest recordings, “Boss Bones” and “You and I” were released in June 2008. Gordon is featured on numerous recordings with the Wynton Marsalis Septet, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and many others as evidenced in his extensive discography.

Wycliffe Gordon is also a gifted composer and arranger. He was commissioned to compose a vibrant new score for the 1925 classic silent film "Body and Soul " (notable as the screen debut of Paul Robeson), which was premiered at the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra’s 2000-01 season opening night performance at Avery Fisher Hall, and was released on DVD in 2008. Gordon's "I Saw the Light," a musical tribute to Muhammad Ali, was commissioned and premiered by the Brass Band of Battle Creek in March 2004, and is scheduled for release on DVD in 2009.

Gordon’s compositions have been performed by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Wynton Marsalis Septet, the Wycliffe Gordon Quartet, the Brass Band of Battle Creek and numerous other ensembles, and performed in programs throughout the U.S. and abroad including concert halls in New York, Los Angeles, Aspen, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Germany, London, Finland, and Switzerland. Two of Gordon’s arrangements are also featured as a part of the PBS series "Marsalis on Music." Recent concert seasons have included premieres of compositions by Gordon for a variety of ensembles both in the Unites States and internationally. The first in a series of print editions of his big band, small ensemble, and choir compositions will be available by spring of 2009.

Professor of Jazz Bass Studies at Pacific Lutheran University

Clipper Anderson is one of the Northwest's leading Bassists. Playing all styles on acoustic and electric bass, Clipper is a composer, studio musician, vocalist, and educator. He was described in Seattle's premier jazz magazine Earshot as being "...a player for the connoisseur to savor" and most recently made the cover interview in the December 2008 issue of Jazz Profile Magazine.

The list of recordings on which Clipper appears is both long and impressive, including several with award winning Seattle jazz vocalist, Greta Matassa.  He has recently performed with jazz artists, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Terry Gibbs, Peter Erskine, Bob Berg, James Moody, Jack Jones, Paquito D'Rivera, and Buddy DeFranco.

Clipper appears in jazz festivals throughout the Northwest and Canada and has been a featured guest artist, annually, at the Buddy DeFranco/U of M Jazz Festival and the Port Townsend Jazz Festival. He currently teaches jazz bass studies at Pacific Lutheran University.

Low Brass Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at Univeristy of Montana

Lance Boyd is the UM Jazz Director and low brass instructor at The University of Montana-Missoula. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he received his Bachelors of Music Education degree as well as his Master of Fine Arts degree in trombone performance. While attending the University of Minnesota, Lance studied with Larry Weinman and Steven Zellmer who were the bass trombonist and principal trombonist in the Minneapolis Symphony at the time.

In 1970, Lance took over the jazz band at The University of Montana-Missoula and developed what is now known as the UM Jazz Program consisting of three big bands, several combos, and courses in jazz improvisation and jazz history. In 1980, the first UM Jazz Festival was organized and it has become an annual event featuring top artists and educators in jazz and attracting high school and college bands from all over the Pacific Northwest.

Many of Lance's students have gone on to outstanding careers in music. Graduates of his studio have been accepted by many of the top universities and conservatories to continue their study of music and performance. Others have distinguished themselves in the field of music education and have become leaders in the instrumental music world.

Saxophonist and Colorado State University Jazz Studies Coordinator

Peter Sommer, saxophonist and composer, is in demand as a performer, clinician and recording artist throughout the state of Colorado. Since establishing himself among the area’s elite jazz musicians, Peter has contributed his muscular tenor playing and creative spirit to a wide variety of musical projects ranging from mainstream bebop to avant garde and beyond. Peter is a member of the Ken Walker Sextet, whose recent release on Synergy Music, Terra Firma, reached #6 on the CMJ Jazz Radio Charts and received rave reviews from JazzWeek.com and the All Music Guide Online. In the fall of 2005, Peter released his debut album, Sioux County on Tapestry Records, which features his compositions and his long-time collaboration with jazz piano legend Art Lande. Peter is also featured on the recent release from the Chie Imaizumi Jazz Orchestra on Capri Records, Unfailing Kindness, and on the Colorado Symphony Orchestra’s recording of Too Hot to Handel with Marin Alsop conducting. Peter’s next album, featuring fellow tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, is scheduled to be released in Fall 2007.

Peter Sommer is Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies and Saxophone at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. At CSU, Mr. Sommer directs Jazz Ensemble I and the CSU Jazz Combo program, in addition to teaching courses in Jazz Improvisation and Jazz Pedagogy.

Don Owens

Retired Northwestern University Director of Jazz Studies

Don Owens, Coordinator Emeritus of the Jazz Studies and Pedagogy Program, Director Emeritus, Contemporary Music Ensemble, and the National High School Music Institute at Northwestern University, began his tenure at Northwestern University in 1979.  He retired in 2005.  Before coming to Northwestern, he taught for twelve years at Evanston (Illinois) Township High School where his duties included directing band, brass ensembles, and jazz band, as well as teaching classes in music theory, popular music, and composition.  He created the Electronic Music Studio at ETHS in 1971.

Owens received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from North Texas State University, where he also studied Composition and Jazz.  His Master of Musical Arts degree is from the University of Illinois, where he majored in Composition.  He studied composition with Morgan Powell, Merrill Ellis, Samuel Adler, and Salvatore Martirano.  He has won several grants and awards, and is regularly commissioned for new works.

Mr. Owens is the composer/arranger of over 100 works, including those for band, jazz band, orchestra, choir, and chamber music.  His music is available from the composer via Phramus Music Publications.  Owens is the author of several articles dealing with contemporary music.  He is a member of M.E.N.C, Illinois Music Educators Association, International Association for Jazz Education (Past President for the Illinois State Unit), Pi Kappa Lambda (Past President of Alpha Chapter), and Phi Mu Alpha.

Trumpet Performer and University of Idaho Assistant Director of Jazz Studies

Vern Sielert is Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at the University of Idaho. From 2001-2006 he was Director of Jazz Ensembles at the University of Washington, and he has also served on the faculties of Baylor University, Illinois State University and Millikin University. Sielert has also directed jazz ensembles at Normal Community West High School in Normal, Illinois. He holds BM degrees in jazz studies and music education, and a MM degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas, and a DMA in trumpet performance from the University of Illinois.

Sielert has been a student of Jack Adams, Keith Johnson, Don Jacoby, Michael Ewald, and Ray Sasaki. He has performed with artists such as Rosemary Clooney, Freddie Hubbard, The Spinners, The O’Jays, Bobby Shew, Don Lanphere, Gerald Wilson, and Ralph Carmichael, and in such diverse settings as the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Illinois Chamber Orchestra, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Walt Disney World. Vern was also a member of the University of North Texas One O'clock Lab Band, which has recorded several of his compositions and arrangements.

Vern maintains an active performing schedule with groups such as the Jim Knapp Orchestra, Emerald City Jazz Orchestra, and the Bob Curnow Big Band. His first CD, From There To Here on Pony Boy records was released in 2007. He can be heard on recent recordings by Kelly Wright, the Emerald City Jazz Orchestra, and Phil Kelly’s Northwest Prevailing Winds. Vern is also an active clinician and adjudicator, and has appeared at schools and jazz festivals throughout the US, and at conferences of the Washington Music Educators, MENC Northwest Division, and the International Association for Jazz Education.

His jazz trumpet solo transcriptions have appeared regularly in the Journal of the International Trumpet Guild since 1998, and he was host of the 2005 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition at the University of Washington.