Coral Reefer Band
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).
The Coral Reefer Band
U.S.
1974–present
- Michael Utley
- Mac McAnally
- Scotty Emerick
- Robert Greenidge
- Peter Mayer
- Jim Mayer
- Roger Guth
- Doyle Grisham
- John Lovell
- Tina Gullickson
- Nadirah Shakoor
- Eric Darken
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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]
The band reunited for the first time since Buffett’s passing on April 11, 2024, and served as the house band for the ‘Keep the Party Going: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett’ concert at the Hollywood Bowl. At the concert, McAnally introduced Jake Shimabukuro, Scotty Emerick and Caroline Jones as full-time members of the group.
Doyle Grisham – (1974–1976, 1981, 1998-present)
pedal steel guitar
– keyboards (1975–present)
Michael Utley
Mick Utley - keyboards, vocals (2022-present)
Peter Mayer – harmony and backing vocals, lead guitar (1989–present)
– harmony and backing vocals, bass (1989–present)
Jim Mayer
Roger Guth – drums (1989–present)
John Lovell – trumpet (1992–present)
– lead and harmony and backing vocals, rhythm and lead and slide guitars, dobro (1994–present)
Mac McAnally
Tina Gullickson – harmony and backing vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar (1995–present)
– harmony and backing and lead vocals (1995–present)
Nadirah Shakoor
– percussion (2011–present)
Eric Darken
Jake Shimabukuro – Ukulele (2005–2009, 2024-present)
- harmony and backing vocals, guitar (2023-present)
Scotty Emerick
- harmony and backing vocals, guitar (2024-present)
Caroline Jones
As of 2024, the band's lineup consists of:[5]
– Vocals, rhythm guitar, ukulele (1974–2023; died 2023)
Jimmy Buffett
– Percussion (1974–2011; died 2011)
Ralph MacDonald
– vocals, harmonica, keyboards, percussion (1975–2000, 2007; died 2023)
Greg "Fingers" Taylor
Harry Dailey – harmony and backing vocals, bass. Co-writer "Volcano." (1975–1982; died 2003)
Philip Fajardo – Drums (1975–1976)
– drums, percussion (1977–1978; died 2004)
Kenny Buttrey
– harmony and backing vocals, bass, occasional lead vocals (1983?-1986?) (Schmit coined the term Parrotheads)
Timothy B. Schmit
Tim Drummond – Bass Guitar (1986–1988)
– guitar, background vocals (1987); co-writer "Last Mango in Paris," writer "The Perfect Partner"
Marshall Chapman
– Guitar, background vocals, composer
Jerry Jeff Walker
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
– Keyboards
Jay Oliver
– Keyboards
Randy Goodrum
– Keyboards, background vocals
Buzz Cason
Don Kloetzke – Background vocals
Michael Jeffry – lead guitar, harmony vocals
– guitar
Josh Leo
– keyboards
Vince Melamed
Tony Pace – Drums
"Blind" Jay Spell – keyboards – (Died 2011)
T.C. Mitchell – saxophones and flute (1994–2005)
– saxophone. Co-writer of "Fruitcakes". (1991–2005)
Amy Lee
– Background vocals and vocal arrangements.
Mary Harris
Barry Chance – lead guitar, background vocals (Died 2010)
– Bass
Hadley Hockensmith
Claudia Cummings – Background vocals (1991-1997; December 23, 1960 - October 31, 2023)
Andy McMahon – Organ, Fender Rhodes
Bob Naylor – Mouth Organ, backing vocals
Matt Betton – Drums
M.L. Benoit – Congas and percussion, background vocals
– Piano
David Briggs
Dr. Kino Bachellier – Shakers and French
– Upright bass
Norbert Putnam
Dominic Cortese – Accordion
– Background vocals
Deborah McColl
Rich Calhoun - Drums
David "Cool" Persons – Guitars, Vocals
– Electric lead guitar
Reggie Young
Mike Gardner – Drums – (Died 1991)
Ed "Lump" Williams – Bass guitar
– Drums
Sammy Creason
Phil Royster – Congas
– Fiddle
Johnny Gimble
– Moog synthesizer
Shane Keister
– Fiddle
Vassar Clements
Ferrell Morris – Percussion
– Backing Vocals, Congas, Percussion (1982–1988)
Sam Clayton
– Guitar, Drums, Keyboards
Larry Lee
– lead guitar, backing vocals
Tim Krekel
– Percussion, Vocals
Brie Howard
– Drums
Russ Kunkel
– Guitar
Keith Sykes
Roger Bartlett – harmony vocals, Acoustic guitar, electric guitar. Wrote “Dallas.” (1973–1977) (the original guitarist; traveled with Jimmy as a duo in the early days)
Other former members of the Coral Reefer Band include:
– vocals, bass
Paul McCartney
– vocals
James Taylor
– saxophone
Grover Washington Jr.
– vocals
The Oak Ridge Boys
– bongos
Sean Payton
– vocals, harmonica
Clint Black
– vocals, tambourine
Ed Bradley
– vocals
Rita Coolidge
– guitar
Steve Cropper
– vocals, harmonica
Huey Lewis
– vocals
Sheryl Crow
– vocals, organ
Steve Winwood
– whip cracks
Harrison Ford
– guitar, background vocals
Glenn Frey
– guitar
Steve Goodman
– guitar
John Hiatt
– guitar
Will Kimbrough
– percussion
J.J. Watt
– vocals
Alan Jackson
– guitar
Earl Klugh
– vocals
Nicolette Larsen
– vocals
Roy Orbison
– Keyboard
Bill Payne
- vocals
Miranda Lambert
– backing vocals
J.D. Souther
– slide guitar
Sonny Landreth
Freddie Buffett – background vocals
Ilo Ferreira – vocals, guitar
– Ukulele (2005–2009)
Jake Shimabukuro
– guitar and vocals
Zac Brown
– drums
Bill Kreutzmann
– drums and background "woo's"
Ric Flair
– vocals
Brian Wilson
Eric Kincaid - Bus Driver
Many artists have recorded and/or appeared on stage with Buffett, earning them status as honorary Coral Reefers.[6] Some of the more notable names are listed here.