Home » Jazz Musicians » Yvonnick Prene
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
Miguel Zenon, Russell Malone & Yvonnick Prene
by Joe Dimino
From talented French-born, NYC-based harmonica player Yvonnic Prene and pianist Geoff Keezer, we triumphantly enter the 870th Episode of Neon Jazz. Off an album dedicated to the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, they do their spin on Tide." Following that cut, we get into solo work from Keezer and music from his 2000 album Zero One. We also hear new music from two Kansas City's own Rick Mareske and Eboni Fondren. Plus lots more including Jonathan Suazo, Michael Dease and ...
Continue ReadingYvonnick Prené & Geoffrey Keezer: Jobim's World
by Dan Bilawsky
If there's such a thing as casual sophistication, Yvonnick Prené has it in spades. That aspect of this chromatic harmonica pro's playing has shown itself to varying degrees across his discography and it's highly pronounced in these gorgeous and intimate duo performances with pianist Geoffrey Keezer. After releasing Listen! (Sunnyside, 2023) to great acclaim, this leader was looking to move away from that album's modernistic quintet format. So, in brainstorming with producer Daniel Yvinec, the idea of ...
Continue ReadingYvonnick Prene: Breathe
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 ...
Continue ReadingYvonnick Prene and Pasquale Grasso: Merci Toots
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 ...
Continue ReadingYvonnick Prene: Wonderful World
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 ...
Continue ReadingYvonnick Prene: Jour De Fete
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, ...
Continue ReadingTake Five With Yvonnick Prene
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... ...
Continue Reading“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
Location
New York City
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/