UNC Jazz Press

Weird Beard. arr. David Deacon-Joyner. One of the stranger pieces from Jeff's catalog. Arranged by David Deacon-Joyner, Weird Beard is a rock/funk/uptempo tune that has some of its influences in Frank Zappa's music and Jeff Coffin's beard! A more difficult piece which has some mixed meter going on in places. A very fun and challenging tune to play! Weird Beard can be heard in small group form on Jeff Coffin's "Bloom" CD on Compass Records.

View all charts by David Deacon-Joyner

JEFF COFFIN, well-traveled saxophonist, composer, and member of the Grammy-winning Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, rejects all labels and categories other than 'music' and 'musician.' In the face of his epic new album Bloom, even those once-broad tags fall short of defining the close coiling of sound, philosophy, and humanity that is the core of his art. 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, Branford Marsalis, Garth Brooks, Van Morrison, and the Wailers. Along the way, Coffin has absorbed an astounding range of influences. "Whether it be New Orleans 'Second Line', African music, Indian Ragas, folk songs, Alan Lomax field recordings, Jazz, or funk," he says, "the spirit and breath of the music is what I take away from listening. It's what decides for me whether I like it or not."