Fusing a wealth of musical styles from jazz to world music, this talented collective features Jeff Coffin on saxes & electro-sax, Emmanuel Echem on trumpet, Jordan Perlson on drums, Jay White on bass, and David Rodgers on keys. Coffin’s reputation as a sax virtuoso, paired with Echem’s bold trumpet playing, creates a distinct forward voice for the group. Perlson’s rhythmic prowess and White’s fluid bass serve as the foundation, while Rodgers’ keys paint the sonic landscape. The ensemble is known for their spontaneous performances and cohesive chemistry, blending technical precision with raw emotion, making every show a unique, high-energy experience. Don’t miss their debut recording Nu Jazz on Ear Up Records!

These musicians have covered the world of music and appear together here for the first time with a brand new band! Meet the Nu Gurus...

JEFF COFFIN • SAXOPHONES
Jeff Coffin is a saxophonist and composer who has earned international acclaim for his work with Dave Matthews Band and Béla Fleck & the Flecktones, as well as his 23+ solo projects. Coffin’s approach to the saxophone is marked by a fearless sense of exploration, fusing elements of jazz, funk, world music, and rock into a style that is uniquely his own.
A 3x Grammy Award winner, Coffin has toured the world, captivating audiences with his powerful, emotive playing. In addition to his work as a performer, Coffin is deeply committed to music education, teaching at Vanderbilt University and presenting well over 300 workshops and clinics around the globe. He is also the founder of the independent record label Ear Up Records and co-founder of AfricaNashville - which promotes cross cultural relationships between celebrated African and American artists in Nashville, TN. Coffin’s passion for sharing knowledge has made him a respected mentor to aspiring musicians everywhere.
On October 19, 2024, Dave Matthews Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Jeff is one of a handful musicians to attain this incredible musical honor!
Jeff is a Yamaha Performing Artist & Clinician, a Boston Sax Shop Ambassador, & a JodyJazz Artist.

EMMANUEL ECHEM • TRUMPET

Emmanuel Echem is a trumpeter, composer, and arranger living and working in Nashville, TN. A native to the area, Echem completed his B.M. in Commercial Music and Music Technology at Belmont University, and has since then firmly established himself as a capable live and session lead/section player, as well as an adept soloist with a unique and soulful improvisational style which frequently draws comparisons to trumpet masters such as Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, and Roy Hargrove. His performance and recording credits include Joss Stone, the Gaither Vocal Band, Lauren Daigle, Dumpstaphunk, Johnny Reid, Rayvon Owen, Dan + Shay, Dynamo, Wayne Bergeron, The Weeks, Wycliffe Gordon, Frankie Negrón, John Clayton, Keb' Mo', La Sonora Dinamita, the Neal Morse Band ft. Mike Portnoy, Roy "Futureman" Wooten and the Circle of Harmony Orchestra, and the Nashville Jazz Orchestra, among many others.

JORDAN PERLSON • DRUMS/PERCUSSION

The career of drummer, percussionist, producer and educator Jordan Perlson has spanned about as wide a stylistic reach as one can imagine. Be it with jazz legends Seamus Blake, Gary Burton, David Liebman, or folk heroes Alison Brown and Missy Raines, or reggae giants Matisyahu and Trevor Hall, cutting edge music innovators like Becca Stevens, Snarky Puppy, and Banda Magda, progressive music with Adrian Belew, Echolyn or Kaki King, or fusion megastar Hiromi, Jordan has become a known force in these many circles. Credits on 100+ recordings, including national and international ad campaigns for Powerade, Netflix, The NY Rangers, Buick and more, Jordan is at home in the studio as he is on stage. 

Having taught at prestigious institutions such as Berklee College of Music, New York University and masterclasses all over the world, Jordan is a passionate educator. An author of 2 books for Mel Bay publishing, Jordan’s books have been translated into several languages and are used the world round by teachers and students of many levels.
Jordan proudly endorses Meinl Cymbals, Vic Firth Drum Sticks, and Reflexx Drum Pads.


DAVID RODGERS • KEYBOARDS
California native David Rodgers is one of the most exciting young talents in Nashville’s music scene today. Currently an active member of Keb’ Mo’s band as keyboardist and musical director, he has also toured or performed with musicians including Taj Mahal, Kirk Whalum, the Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, and the Playboy Jazz Festival, among many others. 

David is a graduate of Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music (2017) where he pursued both classical and jazz piano performance, and also has a master’s degree in commercial composition and arranging from Belmont University (2019).


Combining his classical training with deep improvisational roots in both jazz and blues, he has won the 2018 Belmont University Concerto Competition, in which he won with his own composition, “Concerto For Jazz Piano & Orchestra,” the 2016 Vanderbilt University’s Concerto Competition, as well as the 2016 James Miltenberger International Jazz Piano Competition. 

His compositions have been performed and recorded internationally, including guest appearances at the 2018 Jazz Education Network’s Young Composers Showcase where the U.S. Airmen of Note played his winning big band composition, as well as in Canada where he was invited as a guest artist to the Banff Centre’s International Workshop in Jazz & Creative Music. In addition to being an active Korg-endorsed artist, he was also a finalist for ROLI’s first-ever International Next Awards for which he was invited to London to perform as a soloist.


JAY WHITE • ELECTRIC BASS/ VOCALS
A New York City native shaped from a rich heritage of artistic influence. Jay White spreads a message of love universally for all through his masterful expressions on the drums, bass, percussion and vocal performances. Jay has shared not only his music but his humanitarian self with the world, educating and assisting underprivileged communities as far away as rural Asia. Jay has performed with such renowned artist as Amos Lee, Damien Escobar, Bokante, Macy Gray, Michael McDonald, Rita Ora, Karen Clark-Sheard and the legendary gospel pioneer Elder Timothy Wright. Jay names his father Jeffrey L. White, Twinkie Clark, Fred Hammond, Prince, Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway as his major musical influences. Jay resides in Nashville, Tennessee where he continues to expand his musical footprint.