Coral Reefer Band

The Coral Reefer Band
Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band perform during their Summerzcool Tour in June 2009.
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

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).

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. 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. 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.

Current line-up

As of 2023, the band's lineup consists of:

  • Doyle Grisham – pedal steel guitar (1974–1976, 1981, 1998-present)
  • Michael Utley – keyboards (1975–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)

Former members

Other former members of the Coral Reefer Band include:

  • Jimmy Buffett – Vocals, rhythm guitar, ukulele (1974–2023; died 2023)
  • Roger Bartlett – harmony vocals, Acoustic guitar, electric guitar (1974–1977) (the original guitarist; traveled with Jimmy as a duo in the early days)
  • 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
  • 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

Timeline

Honorary members and special guests

Many artists have recorded and/or appeared on stage with Buffett, earning them status as honorary Coral Reefers. Some of the more notable names are listed here.