Coral Reefer Band – Wikipedia

The Coral Reefer Band is the touring and recording band of American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. The band’s name alludes to both coral reefs (in line with Buffett’s tropical-themed music) and “reefer” (slang for marijuana).

Origins[edit]

Current line-up[edit]

As of 2021^[update], the band’s line-up consists of:

• Jimmy Buffett – vocals, rhythm guitar (1974–present)
• Michael Utley – keyboards (1975–present)
• Robert Greenidge – steel drums (1983–present)
• Peter Mayer – lead guitar, vocals (1989–present)
• Jim Mayer – bass, vocals (1989–present)
• Roger Guth – drums (1989–present)
• John Lovell – trumpet (1992–present)
• Mac McAnally – vocals, rhythm and lead guitars, dobro, slide guitar (1994–present)
• Tina Gullickson – guitar, vocals (1995–present)
• Nadirah Shakoor – vocals (1995–present)
• Doyle Grisham – pedal steel guitar (1974–present)
• Eric Darken – percussion (2011–present)

Former members[edit]

Other former members of the Coral Reefer Band include:

• Philip Fajardo – Drums (1975–1976)
• Tim Drummond – Bass Guitar (1986–1988)
• Ralph MacDonald – Percussion (1974–2011; died 2011)
• Jerry Jeff Walker – Guitar, background vocals, composer
• Marshall Chapman – guitar, background vocals (1987); co-writer “Last Mango in Paris,” writer “The Perfect Partner”
• 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
• Roger Bartlett – Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmony vocals (1974–1977) (the original guitarist; traveled with Jimmy as a duo in the early days)
• Michael Jeffry – lead guitar, harmony vocals
• Josh Leo – guitar
• Vince Melamed – keyboards
• Tony Pace – Drums
• Timothy B. Schmit – bass, vocals (Schmit coined the term Parrotheads)
• “Blind” Jay Spell – keyboards – (Died 2011)
• Greg “Fingers” Taylor – harmonica (1975–2000, 2007)
• T.C. Mitchell – saxophones and flute (1994–2005)
• Amy Lee – saxophone and writer of the Buffett hit – 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
• Harry Dailey – Bass, background vocals. Co-writer “Volcano.” (1975–1982; died 2003)
• 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
• 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
• Kenny Buttrey – Drums and Percussion (1977–1978)
• Vassar Clements – Fiddle
• Ferrell Morris – Percussion
• Sam Clayton – Congas and Percussion (1982–1988)
• Larry Lee – Guitar, Drums, Keyboards
• Tim Krekel – lead guitar, backing vocala
• Brie Howard – Percussion, Vocals
• Russ Kunkel – Drums
• Keith Sykes – Guitar

Timeline[edit]

Honorary members and special guests[edit]

Many artists have recorded and/or appeared on stage with Buffett, earning them status as honorary Coral Reefers.^[2] Some of the more notable names are listed here.

References[edit]