Jeff Coffin Gears Up for Bethel Tour Kickoff

Veteran saxophonist Jeff Coffin is back on the road with the Dave Matthews Band, and he’s kicking things off at Bethel Woods this summer. Known for his genre-bending work with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones—and later as a permanent member of DMB—Coffin took to Instagram this week to rally fans ahead of the tour’s first date.

Here We Go…

In a post on May 15, Coffin shared a photo of himself onstage, sax in hand, beaming at the camera. His caption read: “Here we go… @davematthewsband see y’all soon! #bethel #tour #saxlife #horns.” The launch point, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in upstate New York, holds special significance: it’s the site of DMB’s iconic 2019 shows, and it promises another unforgettable evening this July.

A Seasoned Voice On The Sax

Jeff Coffin first gained national attention as a founding member of the New York-based jazz group Mu’tet, but his profile soared when he joined Béla Fleck and the Flecktones in 1997. With the Flecktones, he won three Grammy Awards, and after the untimely passing of LeRoi Moore in 2008, he stepped in as the Dave Matthews Band’s saxophonist. Since then, he’s contributed to DMB studio albums including 2012’s “Away from the World” and 2018’s “Come Tomorrow,” adding his signature melodic agility to their sound.

Social Buzz And Fan Countdown

Fans wasted no time responding to Coffin’s announcement. Comments flooded in from followers tagging their tour buddies and counting down the days. One fan wrote, “Can’t wait to hear you shred at Bethel!” while another tagged a friend, “Book those tickets, @jazzlover!” Coffin’s energy is clearly contagious as the group prepares to roll out dates across North America.

Instagram Post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ7kEG-yvpS/

An earlier post from February shows Coffin warming up for the same trek. Under the caption “Looking forward to the upcoming Dave Matthews Band tour! We will see y’all soon…✌🏼🧡🙋‍♀️🎉 Jeff Coffin Music,” he offered fans an inside peek at rehearsals and gear checks, hinting at the horn-driven arrangements to come.

Instagram Post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJp7syZxMZK/

What To Expect On Tour

This run marks DMB’s first full summer tour since 2023, promising a mix of fan favorites and deeper album cuts. With Coffin’s sax and clarinet adding new layers, listeners can look forward to extended jam segments and unexpected improvisations. The band will hit cities including Philadelphia, Chicago and Denver before wrapping up in Dallas in September.

From Bethel To Beyond

Bethel Woods kicks off on July 10, but the tour is already stirring excitement among live-music devotees. Coffin’s participation underscores his role as a creative anchor, bridging the band’s rock-jam roots with jazz-influenced flourishes. As he wrote on Instagram, “#saxlife #horns”—reminding us that no matter the setlist, those horns will sing.

Whether you’re a longtime DMB loyalist or new to Coffin’s work, the 2025 summer trek is set to be a celebration of musicianship and collective joy. Keep an eye on official Dave Matthews Band channels for ticket announcements and setlist teasers—Jeff Coffin has already sounded the starting horn.

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Pratibha

 

Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.

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