Jeff Coffin announces he'll be joining DMB starting 2009

[StevenAment]

Congrats to Jeff Coffin as the newest "official" member.
http://www.dmbnews.net/

Jeff, the saxophonist for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, officially announced the news on his Web site, saying, "I will be joining Dave Matthews Band starting in 2009. I am honored to be asked to be part of such a fantastic group of musicians and people and am looking forward to making some great music!"

Jeff played with Dave Matthews Band this summer, after saxophonist and founding member LeRoi Moore was in an ATV accident that ultimately claimed his life. LeRoi had recorded some music for the new DMB album, which is due April 14, and Jeff will help DMB complete the album early next year.

[telperos]

This are so damn good news!

[ev42]

good news thanks

[mixedcolors]

I'll be honest here, I like Jeff, I think he did a great job stepping in, and certainly he brings a new sound and style to the band. So I don't oppose this movement, however, maybe its just because I'm still in many ways bothered by LeRoi's passing that this seems bittersweet and on a level doesn't seem right, but again I'm not against it, it just doesn't feel right and hearing someone else is new in the band, is out of place.

But I do congrats Jeff and welcome him.

[damaba6]

wowzers, this IS good news, I think... whats with the Flecktones then??

[antsdmb23]

I dont believe he is saying he is an "official" member. I think he is just announcing that he will "officially" be joining them for the summer. I have a hard time believing that the boys would replace Roi this quickly. It's not on the band's website saying he is an official member so this leads me to believe he is just joining them for the summer

I should say I do love Jeff and welcome him with open arms. I'm just saying that I don't think he is becoming an "official" member, yet

[telperos]

Originally Posted by damaba6

wowzers, this IS good news, I think... whats with the Flecktones then??

at the moment I can't recall the source, but somebody heard Béla say that Jeff better find the way to do both bands, because the Flecktones were not letting him go

[deadcatswife]

Congrats to Jeff!!! I wonder if he'll be able to stay with the Flecktones and do DMB at the same time?!?!!?

[telperos]

Originally Posted by antsdmb23

I dont believe he is saying he is an "official" member. I think he is just announcing that he will "officially" be joining them for the summer. I have a hard time believing that the boys would replace Roi this quickly. It's not on the band's website saying he is an official member so this leads me to believe he is just joining them for the summer

I should say I do love Jeff and welcome him with open arms. I'm just saying that I don't think he is becoming an "official" member, yet

There is something about interpreting what Jeff published in his website. He said something like "yes, I've been asked about this a lot by a lot of people and yes, I will be joining DMB starting 2009". The starting 2009 thing is what makes me (and others, I suppose) think that Jeff will be with the band from now on. There is no official news from DMB yet and we don't know the nature nor the extent of this bond between Jeff and the band. But I think we can expect this to be a long-term relationship.

[deadcatswife]

I'll ask Dave and Stefan on Twitter and see what they say.