Coffin discusses playing with Dave Matthews Band

Jeff Coffin talks about playing with Dave Matthews Band in an interview with the Kansas City Star.

Jeff, of course, has been filling in for LeRoi Moore, who injured himself in an ATV accident earlier this summer. As many fans have figured out by now, trumpeter Rashawn Ross has been critical to Jeff's quick adjustment to DMB:

"He has really been a godsend, man," Jeff told the Star. "He's such a patient teacher. He has shown me the parts for the songs, helped me sketch stuff out. A lot of times, he will sing me a part and four bars later we're playing it."

Between his DMB gigs, a few shows with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and the release of his solo album, Jeff said he's in the middle of a "crazy summer."

"I got called on a Monday and was playing with the Dave Matthews Band on a Tuesday night," he said. "The challenge, then, that exists for me is to really be able to jump into their river and serve their music while retaining who I am.

"I'm sure this is strange for them also. LeRoi has been with them since their very beginning."

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Dave Matthews Band plays Rothbury Festival

Dave Matthews Band headlined the Rothbury Festival last night, playing a nearly three-hour set that relied heavily on '90s classics.

The concert was a live webcast, giving most DMB fans their first chance to see the band in action without LeRoi Moore, who reportedly punctured a lung and broke ribs in a June 30 ATV accident. Replacement sax player Jeff Coffin shined on several solos, including "Grey Street" and "#41," but you can tell he's still learning a lot of the songs. Rashawn Ross was showing him how to play songs during breaks, and Jeff also played with notes on a stand in front of him. A musician of Jeff's caliber will definitely catch on quickly.

Other highlights of the show included a very heavy, rock version of "Eh Hee," a climactic "You Might Die Trying" and great horn work by Jeff and Rashawn on "Gravedigger." Classics included the "Seek Up" opener, "Satellite," "Jimi Thing," "Tripping Billies" and "Ants Marching."

DMB's next show is Monday in Atlanta.

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Tim Reynolds to tour with Dave Matthews Band

Tim Reynolds will join Dave Matthews Band on its 2008 summer tour, the band announced today.

Tim and his electric guitar were DMB concert fixtures throughout the 1990s, but except for one show in 2004, he hasn't played with DMB since 1998. He has also been in the studio, working with the band on its next album.

Also, Butch Taylor and Rashawn Ross will again be touring with DMB, giving the band an eight-man touring ensemble -- its largest ever.

The news about Tim is drawing even more interest to the upcoming tour, which has already promised the debuts of new songs. For a taste of what to expect, here's Tim playing "Recently" with DMB in Albany, N.Y. in 1998:



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O.A.R. Singer Praises DMB

The Cornell Daily Sun has an interview with O.A.R. frontman Marc Roberge in which he talks about touring with Dave Matthews Band last year. Roberge says he learned a lot from DMB and that he admires the band's touring operation and philanthropy. He also talks about what great musicians the members of DMB, singling out guest trumpeter Rashawn Ross.