Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Saxophonist Jeff Coffin, a member of the Grammy Award-winning jazz group Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, will perform as guest artist with the Swingin' Axes, Stephen F. Austin State University's premier jazz band, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in W.M. Turner AuditoriuGrammy Award winner Jeff Coffin will perform with SFA's Swingin' Axes jazz band at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. m.

"Having Jeff here to perform is a great opportunity for the audience and for our band members," said Dr. Gary Wurtz, SFA assistant professor of music and the Axes' director. "Bela Fleck and the Flecktones is one of the biggest names in modern jazz ensembles. They are huge."

Since 1997, Coffin has traveled the world with the Flecktones, performing with musicians of all walks. Those with whom he has shared the stage and the recording studio include such diverse artists as The Dave Matthews Band, Garth Brooks, Van Morrison, the Wailers and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Along the way, Coffin has absorbed a wide range of influences.

"Whether it be New Orleans Second Line, African music, Indian Ragas, folk songs, Alan Lomax field recordings, jazz, or funk, the spirit and breath of the music is what I take away from listening and playing," said Coffin. "It's what decides for me whether I like it or not."

In addition to the Flecktones, Coffin also performs and records with the Jeff Coffin Mu'tet, a word he created to describe his ever-shifting nucleus of collaborators.

"The group name comes from the word 'mutation,'" Coffin explains. "It implies a continual possibility of growth: music changes and is influenced by the things around us."

Among the pieces Coffin will perform with the Swingin' Axes are two of his own compositions. "Wobble" is included on 'BLOOM," his latest compact disk with the Mu'tet, and "Tall and Lanky" is one of the tracks on the group's 2003 "Go Round."

More information and samples of Coffin's work are available on his Web
site: www.jeffcoffin.com.

The concert's opening set will be performed by the Swingin' Aces, under the direction of Deb Scott, SFA assistant professor of music. The band will play J. Tizol's "Caravan," Frank Mantooth's "Stapes" and "Haitian Fight Song" by Charles Mingus.

Before Coffin joins the Swingin' Aces, the band will perform several pieces by themselves, including Sammy Nestico's "Ya Gotta Try" and "Ain't Misbehavin'" by Fats Waller. In additioin, Valencia Edner, guest vocalist from Lufkin, will be featured on songs such as Darrell Holt's arrangements of "My Funny Valentine" and "I've Got News for You."

The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts'
University Series and the School of Music. It is sponsored in part by Citizens 1st Bank of Nacogdoches.

All audience members are invited to a pre-concert informative talk by saxophonist Brian Utley, SFA assistant professor, at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery, located across the hall from W.M. Turner Auditorium.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.