The Muffins, an American progressive rock/avant-jazz group, were formed in Washington, D.C. in 1973 by keyboardist and saxophonist Dave Newhouse, guitarist Michael Zentner, and bassist Billy Swann. The band's initial lineup evolved with the addition of saxophonist Thomas Scott and drummer Paul Sears, solidifying their unique sound that blended Canterbury, progressive rock, fusion, and improvisation. In 1978, they released their debut album Manna/Mirage, which garnered positive reviews and college radio airplay. The band's innovative approach led to collaborations with notable figures like Fred Frith of Henry Cow, who produced their 1980 album 185. Despite disbanding in 1981, the Muffins reformed in 1998 and released several albums, including Bandwidth (2002) and Double Negative (2004). They performed at various festivals such as Progday and Rock in Opposition.
