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Yvonnick Prene

Born in Paris, he began as a guitarist, later switching to the diatonic harmonica, and eventually settling on the chromatic harmonica as his primary instrument. He first began playing the harmonica professionally in Parisian clubs at 17, then started his studies at Sorbonne University, from which he received a master's degree in music (2011). While still enrolled at the Sorbonne, Prené relocated to New York City and was awarded multiple full-tuition scholarships at The City College of New York, (MICEFA, 2007), Columbia University (Alliance Program, 2008) and at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music (Merit-Based Scholarship, 2009) where he had the opportunity to study with Lee Konitz and Reggie Workman among others. In 20011-2012 he earned a BA from The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music and Master degree from Sorbonne University.

He has performed and recorded with a wide range of artists, including Donald Brown, Klingande, Romeo Santos, Peter Bernstein, Scott Tixier, Gene Bertoncini, Rich Perry, Steve Cardenas, Jon Cowherd, Vic Juris,Nate Smith, Ira Coleman, Thomas Enhco, Luques Curtis, Eric Lewis, Justin Brown, Jerome Barde, Lorin Cohen, Mike Moreno, Avi Rothebard, Jared Gold, Anthony Wonsey, Clovis Nicholas, Laurent Cugny, Alexandre Tassel, Dana Hall, Gilad Hekselman, Jon Davis, Krystle Warren, Yaron Herman, Laurent de Wilde, Ryan Cohan, Victor Provost among many others. Yvonnick has played at Blue Note Jazz Club, Smalls Jazz Club at the Iridium Jazz Club, The Jazz Gallery at Birdland (New York jazz club) at Bern Jazz Festival, Festival Emoi du Jazz (Côte d'Ivoire), Lamentin Jazz Festival, Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, at Jazz in Marciac, Hyde Park Jazz Festival (Chicago), Sidedoor Jazz Club, Jazz Gallery, Jazz on Ubaye, Jazz Sur Seine Festival, at Le Duc des Lombards.

Yvonnick is the founder of New York Harmonica School, author of 13 books and bandleader of The Yvonnick Prene Quartet and Padam Swing. He is currently based in Manhattan, New York City.

Tags

9
Album Review

Yvonnick Prene: Breathe

Read "Breathe" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Yvonnick Prene has called New York home since 2007, but jazz fans in and around the Big Apple and beyond can be forgiven if they lacked awareness about his harmonica skills until more recent times. His first album--the inviting Jour de Fête (SteepleChase Records, 2013)--took a while to arrive, so the only way to learn about Prene prior to 2013 was through word of mouth or a chance live encounter. Now, judging from his recent output, it appears that he's ...

3
Album Review

Yvonnick Prene and Pasquale Grasso: Merci Toots

Read "Merci Toots" reviewed by Chris Mosey


It is often said--rather nastily--that nobody can name five famous Belgians. Jazz fans can certainly name one: harmonicist Toots Thielemans. Thielemans, who in 2014 announced his retirement at the age of 92, decamped from his homeland after the war to play with just about everyone in the US, including Charlie Parker and--primarily--George Shearing. He managed in the process to get the harmonica accepted as a serious--or reasonably serious--musical instrument. Which is why Yvonnick Prene ...

9
Album Review

Yvonnick Prene: Wonderful World

Read "Wonderful World" reviewed by Ian Patterson


Before arriving in jny:New York in 2007, jny:Paris-born harmonica player Yvonnick Prené had already gained schooling of the practical kind, touring and recording with pianists Laurent Cugny and Yaron Herman, and trumpeter Alex Tassel. Prené hit the ground running in the States, winning several scholarships that enabled him to study with saxophonist Lee Konitz, bassist John Patitucci and guitarist Peter Bernstein. His stylistically diverse debut, Jour de Fete (Steeplechase Records, 2013) mixed up classic tunes with original compositions and announced ...

3
Album Review

Yvonnick Prene: Jour De Fete

Read "Jour De Fete" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


European jazz harmonica players aren't exactly a dime a dozen, but the Old Continent has birthed a few for the ages. Belgium gave unto jazz the legendary Toots Thielemans, Germany put forth vibes/harmonica doubling sensation Hendrik Meurkens, and the Swiss turned out Gregoire Maret; now, the French weigh in with the young Yvonnick Prene. Jour De Fete marks Prene's debut and it proves to be an excellent showcase for his writing and playing. He readily identifies Thielemans, ...

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Take Five With...

Take Five With Yvonnick Prene

Read "Take Five With Yvonnick Prene" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Meet Yvonnick Prene:Yvonnick is a freelance chromatic harmonica player based in New York. Since 2007 Yvonnick has obtained a Master degree in music from Sorbonne Paris IV University, recorded and performed around the world with internationally acclaimed artist such as Alexandre Tassel, Laurent de Wilde, Manu Katche, Romain Pilon, Art Hirahara, Dan Aran, Itai Kriss, Bianca Wu, Guilaume Naturel, Laurent Cugny, Aiden Carrol, Eden Ladin, Yaron Herman, Pierre Olivier Govin, Jerome Regard, Daniel Romeo, Anne Paceo, Scott Tixier... ...

Read more articles
“Yvonnick Prene is skilled and talented without a doubt but there is a depth to him that calls to the depths within the listener. It is no wonder that he is in such demand.”JazzTimes

“Virtuoso Harmonica Player” Down Beat

“The most beautiful music I have ever heard on harmonica” Lee Konitz

“A rising star” Dan Bilansky, All About Jazz

Primary Instrument

Harmonica

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Over 250 Step-by-Step Lessons for Chromatic Harmonica Players Whether you are just starting out playing the chromatic harmonica, or you are a confirmed player looking to improve - We have something for you in our course library. https://harmonicastudio.yvonnickprene.com/

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Listen!

Sunnyside Records
2023

buy

Breathe

Self Produced
2016

buy

Merci Toots

Self Produced
2015

buy

Wonderful World

Self Produced
2014

buy

Jour De Fete

Steeplechase Lookout
2013

buy

Videos

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