Editors note: This story was written by Francesco Pulombo, a Canton native who interviewed Jeff Coffin, a saxophonist who plays for Dave Matthews Band and formerly of the Flecktones.

By FRANCESCO PALUMBO

Jeff Coffin emerged from the wooded area of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and stopped at the Performers' Entrance Gate behind the stage. "You must be Francesco," he said, smiling as he stood by the gate, accompanied by his wife and family, and waving us into the area.

The musician, Mr. Coffin, who just turned 50 at the beginning of August, provides listeners a portal for the exploration and expression of music in a modern and classical sense. His mastery of innovation starts with the saxophone, however he plays a wide array of other woodwinds as well. His range of music covered over the past 35 years ranges from Classical, to Rock and Roll, and continues to reach almost all spheres of genre classification in-between.

Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and the Dave Matthews Band (DMB) are two of the bands in which Mr. Coffin has had indisputable influences and success in being an essential part of. Many people of Northern New York are familiar with these bands, however, these bands are rooted with ties to the regions of Upstate New York as well. In the early days of the Dave Matthews Band, they actually played in Canton, NY, at St. Lawrence University, in 1994. The Flecktones recently played at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam for a part of their tour in 2011, and Mr. Béla Fleck toured with the Knights and revisited SUNY Potsdam in February of this year.

The Flecktones, renowned for their bluegrass fusion of jazz, funk, and folk styles, are led by the distinguished pioneering banjoist, Béla Fleck, and features Victor and Roy Wooten. Coffin joined the group in 1998, and the band won three Grammy Awards along the way, during his membership. The Flecktones would frequently open concerts for the Dave Matthews Band, and appeared as guests at numerous shows in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, where Mr. Coffin’s connection to the Dave Matthews Band came into play.

With the shocking and tragic passing of LeRoi Moore after an ATV accident in 2008, the Dave Matthews Band was in need of a saxophonist. Jeff Coffin was their man. “The reason I even met DMB was because of Béla and the band. It's a connection that has existed for a long time, and will continue to connect us all together, forever,” Mr. Coffin says.

Dave Matthews Band’s release of Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King in 2009 was Mr. Coffin’s first full album appearance with the group. The album rapidly rose to the number one spot in the first week, with over 400,000 sales. It has been certified platinum since, reaching over one million records sold. Rolling Stone stated that it was their “best album yet.”

In 2012 the Dave Matthews Band released Away From the World, which marked the sixth consecutive album that debuted at number one for the group. Coffin says the track “Drunken Soldier” contains some of his favorite lyrics from the band’s immense collection of tunes. “Keep your head up//Try and listen to your heart. Be kind always, no matter//Shine your light while you got one//And make the most of what you got.”

The Dave Matthews Band is currently in the middle of their annual summer tour, and in the production stages of a new album, which is set to be released in the coming months. “We have been working on the new recording when we can, but we were in the studio earlier in the year and got a lot of work done on it then.” Mr. Coffin’s busy schedule demands time away from the band as well. “As far as my own stuff… Trying to focus on my own projects is quite the challenge.” The work he alluded to includes his own band, Jeff Coffin and the Mu’tet, as well as his work on an album with Caleb Chapman and the Crescent Super Band. His efforts on this project support music and the arts for children in Cuba. Of the album, Mr. Coffin indicated that “It's a big band project. While we were there, we recorded a couple of the tunes in Cuba, and we visited the National School for the Arts and did a cultural exchange.” Additionally, all of the compositions are his own original works.

During their visit to Cuba, Mr. Coffin became certain that something needed to be done. “We were so blown away by the students there and the fact that they basically had archaic instruments and very little funding. We decided the recording would benefit the school and all the proceeds from the sale of the recording will go to the National School of the Arts. We are planning to send instruments and money to them to help them with their progress as musicians and artists.”

The project was announced on KickStarter, and a goal of ten-thousand dollars was originally set. Within just twenty-four hours of the project being initiated, over ninety percent of the amount had been backed. The campaign reached its goal in just two days!

“Stretch Goals” were added to send additional resources to Cuba, and the project reached over $25,000, with more than two-hundred-sixty people getting involved. Mr. Coffin says his devotion to the operation actually stems from his own past experiences. “I had great teachers growing up who were very supportive and helped encourage my development. That's one of the reasons I continue to do a lot of clinics and work with students.”

Growing up in the Northeastern United States, Mr. Coffin knew early on that music was his niche. “Music made me feel a particular way, and it still does. I have always loved vocalists and the way they can pull the emotion from a piece of music. When I first went to music camp in high school I realized that I had found my tribe.”

Throughout his playing career, he has recognized that certain challenges exist in balancing his own personal creativity with each musical setting. “I understand that I have to play a role with each situation. I'm serving the music first, the musicians I'm playing with second, and the audience third. Creatively, I feel that each situation is unique and I try to bring as much creativity to the music as I can.”

In May of 2015, the Dave Matthews Band performed one final time at the historic Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City for a “Legends of Letterman” telecast. This show marked the thirteenth time the band had appeared on Mr. Letterman’s late-night program. "It's awesome to be here and say goodbye to the great David Letterman," said Dave Matthews at the performance. "The first TV show we ever did was the Letterman show [In 1995], so this is crazy!"

The setlist for the show included the debut of one of the band’s newest songs, “Black and Blue Bird,” featuring Coffin on soprano saxophone. The song creates a gentle blend of horns as bandmate Rashawn Ross joins in on trumpet. Their blend fits perfectly behind fascinatingly resonant lyricism.

It was clear the band was meshing, and that they are as strong as ever. “Playing at the Ed Sullivan Theatre was incredible,” says Coffin of the experience. “It's an institution, and so much has happened there through the years. To be part of that vibe was really inspiring. To be there toward the end of Letterman's tenure made it even more special.”

Mr. Coffin added, “I had a quick few words with Letterman after the performance when he came over to the band. Just a brief hello kind of thing...he's a busy man!”

As the band concluded with “What Would You Say,” which they had debuted on the show in 1994, Letterman walked across the stage, pointed at Mr. Coffin after an extraordinary flute solo, and said, “Nice going!”

Shortly after their momentous Letterman appearance, DMB kicked off the 2015 Summer Tour of North America. They have traveled extensively across the United States for the past twenty-four years, and this year has been no different. Starting in Texas, the band moved along the southern United States, and made its way up the Midwestern and Northeastern states.

At the beginning of July, the band arrived in Saratoga Springs, New York, where they would perform on two consecutive nights at the renowned Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). The members of the Dave Matthews Band have kept the amphitheater close to their hearts, as they have played this venue thirty-three times over the past nineteen years. The performances this year were held on July 3rd and 4th. My dad and I made the pilgrimage for the July 4th show, on our way to an evening we would not forget.

It was approximately 4:30 when we arrived at SPAC. All the way over to the venue, the rain had been pouring down, and it appeared that it would be a miserable, rainy night for the concert. I had contacted Mr. Coffin a month prior to the concert, and he graciously responded. Some arrangements were made, and it was established that I would meet him for an interview in Saratoga. As we got into the parking lot, it was confirmed that we would meet him at the performer’s entrance gates.

Surprisingly, there were no issues with security on the way down to the sheltered location, directly behind the stage. We waited for a few minutes and conversed with a friendly security guard manning the gates. Suddenly, the clouds started to open up, and the sun began to shine through. Right on time, Mr. Coffin made his way to our location accompanied by some of his family. It would not rain for the rest of the night.

Dave Matthews took the stage and the roar of the crowd echoed throughout the theater and surrounding forest. He greeted the crowd saying, “It’s good to be here again, and I’m glad that it seems to have cleared up…So we’ll try to have a good time this evening.”

The first set started with Dave Matthews playing a few songs solo, including a couple rarities. Rashawn Ross, Tim Reynolds, and Jeff Coffin then took the stage for “One Sweet World,” and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. The band paid its respect to the Grateful Dead’s 50th (and final) year of performing with a cover of their song, “Friend of the Devil.”

Between songs throughout the band’s sets, the captivated and energetic crowd of over twenty-four thousand would capture the moment with unison chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” in celebration of Independence Day. Mr. Coffin fed off of the abundance of energy and took a solo rendition of the patriotic “Colonel Bogey March,” accompanied by Carter Beauford, backing him with the tight marching beat on his drums.

Some very special guests were on-stage throughout the concert as well. The Lovely Ladies added incredible vocals on classic songs such as “You & Me,” and “Everyday.” “The Ladies are awesome!” complimented Coffin, “We love having them up on stage with us.” Another long-time, dear friend of the band, Mr. Béla Fleck, joined the Dave Matthews Band at SPAC for several songs throughout the night. Mr. Coffin commented, “It was great to share the stage again with Béla! He's a very close friend, and it brings back memories of the times we spent in all the years together with the Flecktones.”

Jeff and Béla both placed magnificent solos in “Grace is Gone” for the acoustic set, and then played “Lie in Our Graves” together in the electric set. Their musicianship captivated the crowd as the chemistry between the two innovative artists proved to be as strong as ever.

Jeff Coffin identifies a significant reason for the band’s inner harmony lies in the evolutionary process of their creative music. “I think DMB is established to such a point that we are always going to sound like the band in any situation.” However, he adds, “This band is always pushing the envelope to get better, and to try new things, so the creative process is pretty fun and interesting with everyone.” When asked if the record labels outline their direction when the band is in the studio recording, Mr. Coffin responded that “A producer puts a particular 'stamp' on a project, but I don't think they try to make us sound different than we are. I don't think this band would allow that anyhow.”

Though the cover of the Grateful Dead was a tribute on this July 4th evening, it is also just one instance representative of how the Dave Matthews Band has expanded beyond their records. There is a vast array of songs that the band can play on any given night. Besides playing their own songs that cover nearly twenty-five years of recordings, they have an extensive list of songs and musicians that they cover live in concert. “It’s scary,” laughs Mr. Coffin. “Having to know 140 to 150 tunes is daunting, and I have to have it all together every night, regardless of what Dave puts on the setlist.”

Nonetheless, Jeff Coffin is a musician whose artistic skills and career have covered many genres. He has shared the stage with countless jazz, rock, and blues icons such as Branford Marsalis, Sir Van Morrison, Lynyrd Skynyrd, My Morning Jacket, Phish, the Wailers, Cage the Elephant, Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, and the Blues Traveler. He has also played with country legends like Willie Nelson, Emmy Lou Harris, Garth Brooks, and the Dixie Chicks. Coffin says such variety adds to the excitement. “It's inspiring to have that much material to choose from, but it's a tremendous amount of work. I love that there is a wide range of material. It keeps it interesting and fun for all of us.”

We mentioned the Crane School of Music and how the communities of Northern New York have strong musical influences on students. “I do clinics all the time, I love that kind of stuff.” Mr. Coffin also mentioned a personal connection he has to the area. “I know Brett Zvacek very well,” says Mr. Coffin of the trombone professor at the Crane School of Music. “Brett did a couple of arrangements for me, for big band. The first two arrangements done of my own tunes, Brett did those. We were at North Texas together, so I’ve known him for a long time.”

It’s nice being able to connect with people, that’s why we do this. Connecting with people is really what music is about.”

In meeting with Mr. Coffin at SPAC, and in corresponding with him, it was evident that he is a true gentleman with a passion for sharing his talent in a way that enriches the lives of others. Twenty-four thousand people were lined up at the gates of SPAC to enter to their seats, and there my dad and I were, behind the stage with Jeff Coffin. A man who these people were all going to see perform. He was so sincere and generous with us, despite being so close to show time. In the preliminary messages we exchanged he was humorous and extremely open to sharing time with us to talk with him personally. I hope to stay in touch with him as he still has an open invitation to visit us up here in Northern New York.