The Coral Reefer Band is the touring and recording band of American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, backing him until Buffett's death in September 2023 and then continuing on without him. 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.[2] This resulted in Taylor contributing harmonica accompaniment for part of the performance, the beginning of their long-term collaboration.
In 1975, Buffett formed the Coral Reefer Band.[3] He credits his future wife for cleaning up their look, replacing their ripped Levi jeans and collarless shirts.[3] The band was the opening act for the Eagles in August 1975.[4]
The band performed their final concert with Buffett on May 6, 2023, in San Diego.[5] Buffett made two further concert appearances, as an unannounced guest at concerts by Coral Reefer Band members, in Amagansett, New York, on June 11 and in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, on July 2,[6][7][8] before his death in September of that year.[5]
After Buffett
On October 30, 2023, Mac McAnally stated in an interview that the Coral Reefer Band would continue touring and performing Buffett's music at his request,[9] reiterating statements made by bandmate Robert Greenidge in a separate interview on September 9, 2023.[10]
The band reunited for the first time since Buffett's passing on April 11, 2024, and served as the house band for the Keep the Party Going: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett concert at the Hollywood Bowl.[11] At the concert, McAnally introduced Scotty Emerick as a full-time member of the group.
In May 2024, the band played their first full show after Buffett's death (not counting the Hollywood Bowl tribute concert) at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, where they were joined by guest Sonny Landreth, who had also worked alongside Buffett and the band on various occasions before Buffett's death.[11]
In June, the band announced they would be doing three shows in August as part of the Keep The Party Going Tour, at the Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach, Alabama, on August 1; the Cadence Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park in Atlanta, Georgia on August 2; and the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 4.[11][12] Proceeds from these shows went to the Buffett-founded nonprofit charity Singing for a Change.[12]Will Kimbrough, one of Buffett's occasional collaborators and songwriting partners, joined the band at this time.[12] The shows got a positive response from audiences.[13] All three shows were sold-out or close to sellouts including over 15,000 people attending the Cincinnati show. The band indicated more dates would be added in the future. In December 2024 additional shows were announced for 2025 one January 24 at the Hard Rock Hotels Etess Arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey.[14] and two scheduled for March in Jacksonville and Hollywood, Florida. The band announced at the Atlantic City show that several more shows will take place during the summer months of 2025.
The Coral Reefer Band performs "A Pirate Looks at Forty" in 2025. An empty microphone stand at center stage represents the absence of Buffett.
In the post-Buffett era, Mac McAnally is the Coral Reefer bandleader.[13] But shows are performed with an empty microphone at center stage, symbolizing the absence of Buffett.[15] Lead vocals are distributed around the group,[15] with McAnally and new member Scotty Emerick taking the most.[16] A review of the Jacksonville show in The Florida Times-Union said, "How do you replace a legend like Jimmy Buffett? You don't, of course. ... But if you're his long-time Coral Reefer Band, you can still play his songs well enough ..."[15]
In February, the band announced they would be going on tour as the opening act for The Doobie Brothers for 20 shows between August and September 2025.[17] This was the first prolonged effort to keep the Coral Reefers going.[13] Buffett and the Doobies had each opened for the other at various times during their careers,[13] and the two shared some of the same sensibilities.[17] A review in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted that there was inevitably "less of the barefoot, carefree Parrothead vibe" than at Buffett shows but that "the talent runs deep in this crew and it did a stellar job with the music".[16]
Current line-up
Band introductions, 2025, with Nadirah Shakoor receiving applause
Many artists have recorded and/or appeared on stage with Buffett, earning them status as honorary Coral Reefers.[22] Some of the more notable names are listed here.
↑ Malone, Bill C., ed. (2014). "Buffett, Jimmy". The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture. Vol.12. UNC Press Books. p.192. ISBN9781469616667. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
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