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).
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. 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.
Current line-up
As of 2023, the band's lineup consists of: Doyle Grisham – pedal steel guitar (1974–1976, 1981, 1998-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 – vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar (1995–present) Nadirah Shakoor – vocals (1995–present) Eric Darken – percussion (2011–present)
Former members
Other former members of the Coral Reefer Band include: Jimmy Buffett – Vocals, rhythm guitar, ukulele (1974–2023; died 2023) 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 – vocals, harmonica, keyboards, percussion (1975–2000, 2007) T.C. Mitchell – saxophones and flute (1994–2005) Amy Lee – saxophone. Co-writer of "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 Rich Calhoun - Drums 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 vocals Brie Howard – Percussion, Vocals Russ Kunkel – Drums Keith Sykes – Guitar