Original Coral Reefer keyboardist Michael Utley has been jammin' with Buffett for over 30 years

Michael Utley '09 Summerzcool Tour         By: Vicki Shivers

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We’ve all seen talented musician Michael Utley countless times on stage with Jimmy Buffett as a member of the Coral Reefer Band. We’ve heard him and we love him, but what do we know about our favorite Reefer keyboard player?

“Mr. Utley” as Jimmy calls him, is the longest active member of the Coral Reefer Band. He was raised in Arkansas and surprisingly has a degree in Zoology from the University of Arkansas. He grew up listening to Memphis Soul and New Orleans Rhythm and Blues and after college moved to Memphis to begin his musical career full time, where he got his first opportunity to make an album with Bill Black's Combo.

His career took off and he got a gig playing with the house band, the Dixie Flyers, for Atlantic Records in Miami. While in this band, he backed recording artists Aretha Franklin, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Allman Brothers, Kris Kristofferson and Jackson Browne, to name a few.

In 1973, Utley found himself working on an album with Jerry Jeff Walker in Miami. Jimmy Buffett heard Michael Utley play and promptly asked him to play on his first major label ABC-Dunhill album,"A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean." Utley began touring part time with Buffett and worked with him on the next few album releases until he finally he joined the Coral Reefer Band full time.

Club Trini performs at 2009 Meeting of the Minds:

In addition to holding the position of Musical Director of the Coral Reefer Band, Utley has produced eleven albums with Jimmy Buffett, including his latest CD "Buffet Hotel". (Listen Here) He also produced Roy Orbison's Greatest Hits album and a Cinemax Special, "Black and White Night" with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, T-Bone Burnett, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, and Tom Waits.

Another venture for Mr. Utley is “Club Trini”; an instrumental band fronted by himself and fellow Coral Reefer and steel drum player, Robert Greenidge. Club Trini has released 6 albums and can be seen at many Buffett Pre-Parties and Parrot Head Phlockings around the US. Other band members include your favorite members of the Coral Reefer Band. Club Trini plays mostly original tunes, but their set includes a few Buffett faves as well. Look for “Club Trini” at an event near you.