Product Description Frédéric Yonnet is regarded as one of the most skilled and imaginative young diatonic harmonica players on the international music scene today. Determined to expand the way that people regard the "pocket" instrument, Yonnet uses the harp as a lead instrument in jazz, R&B, pop and neo-soul music. Yonnet's latest CD project positions the musician where he and his harmonica deservingly need to be -- Front and Center. On this 11 track CD, Yonnet pays homage to one of his musical inspirations, Stevie Wonder, with a speedy version of Boogie on Reggae Woman. In Days Of Wine And Roses, Yonnet shuffles up-tempo workouts with African, Latin and European rhythms to add some "Afropean spice" to the jazz standard. Yonnet goes all out with his bluesy, high-energy interpretation of God Bless The Child. "Including a range of standards and popular cover songs in my repertoire allows people to focus less on the song and more on my interpretation through the harmonica." As a bonus, three tracks from Yonnet's sampler CD, Blowing Your Mind in Every Key of the Harp, are included on Front and Center. They include a live, spirit-filled version of Amazing Grace, a bass and harmonica duet of Autumn Leaves, and Michel Herblin's original Eden Legrand. "We got such great feedback from people who liked these songs - especially Amazing Grace -- that I was encouraged to include them on my first full length CD", says Yonnet. "The Amazing Grace track was actually a 'jam' recorded live at a church in Los Angeles," said Yonnet. "I had never played with the musicians before but once we connected, it was very powerful. No doubt, listeners will appreciate the blessing. Review "A true virtuoso." -- Eric Brace, Washington Post"Fred has an extraordinary ability for wringing torrents of emotion out of that tiny instrument, the harmonica." -- Rhome Anderson, mp3.Washingpost.com"In jazz it [harmonica] has been employed successfully by only several musicians, Toots Thielemans, Howard Levy and Frédéric Yonnet..." -- W. Royal Stokes - Jazz Times Magazine About the Artist When it comes to the harmonica, French-born jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet knows how to turn skeptics into believers. Most people perceive the harmonica as a "side" instrument used in country and blues. However, Yonnet is one of a handful of musicians to successfully demonstrate the harmonicas versatility as a lead instrument in contemporary jazz, as well as other genres of music. Self-described as an "old spirit", you know after listening to one set that Yonnet has "been here before". As one of the youngest professional mouth harp virtuosos, he began his harmonica career at age 19. Since then, he has devoted all of his time to performing in Parisian jazz and blues clubs and touring Spain, Germany, Africa and the U.S. Formerly, a frequent guest musician on the French television network Canal Plus, Yonnet is quickly changing the groove and image typically associated with the harmonica and harmonica players. Just listen to his sound. It funks. It rocks. It hips and hops. It grooves. It sways. It testifies. It prays. It has a reverence for blues and jazz while appealing to a generation raised on pop-rock and hip-hop. As part of a new wave of musicians emerging from Europes jazz underground, Yonnet is poised to change the way the music industry and music enthusiasts regard the "pocket" instrument. Born in Normandy, France, Frédéric picked up the harmonica after a short stint as a drummer. "I got fired a lot as a drummer because I kept trying to play the melody," said Yonnet. Eventually, he revisited an instrument he had received as a child. "The harmonica allowed me to play both the melody and the rhythm, "said Yonnet. "Plus the harmonica is much lighter to carry than the drums."Yonnets latest CD project positions the artist where he and his music deservingly need to be -- Front and Center. The harmonica takes the lead when Yonnet brings it out front and demonstrates its versatility and range. In Front and Center, Yonnet covers songs like Boogie On Reggae Woman, Days of Wine and Roses, For the Love of You and God Bless the Child. With Front and Center, Yonnet is clearly trying to educate listeners to the musical capabilities of the harmonica by keeping much of the music familiar. Yonnet pays homage to one of his musical inspirations, Stevie Wonder, with a pepped up version of Boogie On Reggae Woman. In Days of Wine and Roses, Yonnet shuffles up-tempo workouts with African, Latin and European rhythms to add some "Afropean spice" to the jazz standard. Yonnet goes all out with his bluesy, high-energy interpretation of God Bless the Child. "Including a range of standards and popular cover songs in my repertoire allows people to focus less on the tune and more on my interpretation through the harmonica." And thats not hard to do. After listening to the harmonica virtuoso, one is left in awe of his technical mastery of all twelve keys of the harmonica.There is no question as to why his first, self-produced sampler CD is titled, Blowing Your Mind in Every Key of the Harp! A common refrain after Yonnet performs is, "Wow, I didnt know you could do that on a harmonica." The CD, which showcases his musical range and fearless improvisations, features two original tunes: Eden Legrand and ArtSpace 1.0, written by French harmonicist and writer Michel Herblin. Eden Legrand starts slow and builds to an intense and funky groove. ArtSpace 1.0 has a jazzy reggae beat. This is one of Yonnets favorite tunes and the 1.0 suggests that there will be many other versions. Blowing Your Mind also features a live version of the gospel favorite Amazing Grace. "The Amazing Grace track was actually a jam recorded live at a church in Los Angeles," said Yonnet. "I had never played with the musicians before but once we connected, it was very powerful. This track is a good indication of the energy that comes through in my live performances," he added. "The first stanza of Amazing Grace is soulfully paced while the second is fast, energeti See more
