Evolution & Anatomy of a Sax/Trumpet Duet Riff

While tragic, the death of LeRoi Moore (founding member and saxophone player for Dave Matthews Band) has opened up the horn section of the band to new opportunities, new angles, and new styles. Moore’s replacement, Jeff Coffin, and the bands new staple trumpet/cornet/flugel horn player, Rashawn Ross, have gelled since coming together and are creating some awesome music together.

The latest album from DMB has lots of energy, thanks in no small part to these two guys, but the two have done wonders for rejuvenating old classics the band recorded back in the 90s. Part of the reason DMB fans go to concert after concert, year after year, is because the band is always reinventing themselves, coming up with new ways to perform their songs.

The two audio examples below are a perfecte example of Coffin & Ross’ contributions to this constance music renaissance going on within the band. The song is a class, #41, from Crash, the album that thrust them into the big time. I think they won a Grammy for it too. But anyway, Coffin and Ross have developed a killer riff that they roll through together during the extended solo/jam, but as you’ll notice from the examples, it has changed a bit (and only gotten better) over the course of a few years.

The first example is off the Live at Mile High Music Festival release from early 2008. By listening, you’ll notice that Ross and Coffin aren’t exactly clicking on this riff yet. It almost sounds like Ross either forgot or hadn’t entirely memorized the thing. He drops out, and re-enters later in the riff, and at times he misses a note here and there. Also notice how Carter Beauford’s drumming steps on the riff a bit.

Now listen to the second example, recorded by a fan at the August 2009 Phoenix show (at which I was in attendance). The audio quality isn’t as good, obviously, but Coffin and Ross have improved this riff ENORMOUSLY. They both know every note to perfection, and execute it flawlessly, starting mellow and eventually growing over the 2 minute break. Carter has also learned his role for this, chilling out early on and letting the mood settle before helping them with the push to the end.

I just love this stuff. It’s the reason I pay $40-80 each year to see these guys.