URBAN JAZZ HARMONICIST INTRODUCING ONE OF THE MOST CAPTIVATING TALENTS IN THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SCENE - URBAN JAZZ HARMONICIST FREDERIC YONNET! Using an instrument many have owned but few have mastered, Yonnet expands the harmonica beyond its traditional context: blues, country and folk music, and incorporates it into a fresh, modern and soulful sound that hovers on the outer edges of jazz. As one of a handful of musicians to successfully demonstrate the harmonica's versatility as a lead instrument, Yonnet’s signature sound embraces a reverence for jazz, gospel and blues that appeals to a generation bred on pop rock and hip-hop. His unique ability to play chromatically on a ten-hole diatonic harmonica gives Yonnet unlimited access to notes and sounds that don’t naturally exist on the instrument. As a result, he masterfully bridges the gap between the diatonic and chromatic harps -- impressing fans of both. Yonnet has toured with music icons Stevie Wonder and Prince and can be seen online in dueling harmonica duets with Wonder and Erykah Badu. He has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, David Foster, Ed Sheeran, John Legend, John Mayer, Mint Condition, Kirk Whalum and other notable soul, pop and jazz artists. He’s described by Rolling Stone magazine as Prince's “killer harmonica player,” however Yonnet is hardly a sideman. Instead, his captivating stage presence and strong improvisational skills leads the band and emboldens the most skeptical audience members to follow. MUSIC & VIDEO SAMPLES Check out music samples and view videos on www.fredyonnet.com or YouTube.com: “A man so good at playing Yonnet w/ Dave Chappelle @ Bluesfest: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRNDIVJ4n0w Yonnet w/ Ed Sheeran: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJUerOM6e0E#t=13 harmonica that another man Yonnet @ Blues Alley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUZY6NUcg20 good at harmonica hired him.” Yonnet w/ Stevie Wonder in Paris: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLxclfYdA4k Yonnet performs Amazing Grace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGvv6FtJmv4 – Dave Chappelle MUSIC STYLE AND SET LIST THE BAND AND CREW STYLE GUIDELINES Urban Jazz: A head-bobbing, genres-bending sound • Full Band Configuration: Eight (8) pieces: Harmonica, • Artist’s name must be represented in print as "Frédéric fusing elements of jazz, blues, rock, reggae, R&B and funk. Keyboard, Bass, Drums, Guitar and Horns. Yonnet" with accents over "e." The last name is The standard 70-90 minute set list is largely originals • Standard Configuration: Five (5) pieces: Harmonica, pronounced "Yo-nay." If FREDERIC is written in ALL with a select mix of reimagined covers reflecting the Keyboard, Bass, Drums and Guitar. CAPS, the accents are not required. unique perspective of Yonnet. • Optional: Vocals, Percussions and Electric Violin; • If a description is necessary, include "Urban Jazz Crew: 1-3 depending on show requirements. Hamonicist." Do not add descriptors such as "Quintet" or "Band.” PRESS KIT / FREDYONNET.COM / [email protected] • Download high-res photos from www.fredyonnet.com. 2 PRESS KIT / FREDYONNET.COM / [email protected] 3 BIOGRAPHY Using an instrument many have owned but few have mastered, urban jazz harmonicist, Frédéric Yonnet’s musical skills and stage presence crush every preconceived notion you’ve ever had about the harmonica. Regarded for decades as the choice instrument of street musicians and loners who wanted to express themselves through country music or the blues, in Yonnet’s hands the harmonica becomes something completely different; a lead voice in urban jazz, R&B and hip-hop. With each performance, stereotypical walls come tumbling down as Yonnet presents the harmonica in a refreshing and modern context that is boldly stylish, enchantingly cool and absorbingly brilliant. 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 gospel, blues and jazz while appealing to a generation bred on pop rock and hip- hop. His impressive style has led to performances, tours and recordings with some of the heaviest hitters in the music business including legends Stevie Wonder, Prince and David Foster, English singer- songwriter and musician Ed Sheeran, R&B artists Erykah Badu, Wyclef, India.Arie, Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, and hip-hop artist Talib Kweli. Rolling Stone magazine refers to Yonnet as “Prince’s killer harmonica player,” and praise he’s received from comedian Dave Chappelle, contemporary jazzman Bob James, songstress Patti Austin and producer Pharrell Williams affirm his mission to change the way the music industry, musicians and enthusiasts regard the pocket-size reed instrument. Citing Wonder as a mentor and friend, Yonnet was honored when Wonder tapped him to perform harmonica parts on the Songs in the Key of Life Performance Tour, 2014-16. Wonder performed the entire double album as part of the 44-city tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of the most critically acclaimed album of his career. On the tunes, “Have a Talk with God” and “Mama’s Call,” Yonnet demonstrates his mastery of the diatonic harmonica by expertly mimicking the chromatic melody Wonder originally performed on the studio album. “He’s so good at playing harmonica that another man good at harmonica hired him,” said Dave Chappelle during an introduction of Yonnet. PRESS KIT / FREDYONNET.COM / [email protected] 4 BIOGRAPHY (Continued) Born in Normandy, France to a Parisian father and French Guyanese Creole mother, Yonnet lived in and around Paris most of his life. As a child, he and his dad performed comedy routines in theaters throughout France and by 14, he decided to literally march to the beat of his own drum. After a short stint as a drummer, Yonnet revisited an instrument he had received as a child, the harmonica. “I got kicked out of bands because I kept trying to play the melody on the drums,” says Yonnet. “On the harmonica, I can play both the melody and rhythm. Plus it’s lighter to carry.” These days, the U.S.-based Yonnet travels with pedal boards, mixers, amps, microphones and more than 50 diatonic harmonicas. “I’m pretty intense on the harmonica and I like to have the ‘sharpest ax’ in my pocket at all times.” To be sure, he’s not afraid to wield it. There aren’t many musicians who would go tête-à-tête with Stevie Wonder on the harmonica but Yonnet has proved himself more than capable. “Frédéric Yonnet — a Wonder disciple — had a crazy harmonica duel that almost sent Stevie flying off the stage in a frenzy,” said Fox News following their performance at Madison Square Garden. Without a doubt, Yonnet’s friendship with Wonder has been his biggest musical inspiration. At the same show in 2007, Prince first witnessed Yonnet’s expert musicianship, exhilarating panache and inexhaustible stage presence. It would be months before their paths crossed again, but when they did, Prince seized the opportunity to have Yonnet jam with him and his band at a house party. “Genius recognizes genius,” said saxophonist Mike Phillips, who performed with them that night and witnessed the energy that Yonnet brought to the band. After that, Yonnet recorded with Prince and performed with him as a featured guest on numerous shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and on Prince’s 20Ten European tour. While Yonnet enjoys the excitement of performing with some of the world’s greatest music legends, he knows that it’s the technical mastery of his instrument — along with innovative collaborations and solo projects — that will earn him recognition as one of the greatest harmonica players in the world. PRESS KIT / FREDYONNET.COM / [email protected] 5 PRESS KIT / FREDYONNET.COM / [email protected] 6 CURRENT PROJECT: Reed My Lips The Rough Cut & The Final Mix There aren’t many recording artists who expose their creative process to fans and critics alike, prior to completing their work. However, that is exactly what urban jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet does in his current project, REED MY LIPS, a smart blend of contemporary jazz, blues and hip-hop. In a pioneering effort that leverages technology, art and reality, Yonnet halts all aspects of production – recording, packaging and video – to give fans a snapshot of his work at various stages of the creative process. The work in progress, subtitled THE ROUGH CUT, is available exclusively to fans purchasing digital download cards at live concerts or online at www.fredyonnet.com. An individual, unique code gives users access to REED MY LIPS: THE ROUGH CUT files and ultimately REED MY LIPS: THE FINAL MIX. Email alerts announce to purchasers when new materials (i.e. music, art and videos) are available for download. Listeners posting productive comments to the website have their suggestions considered in the subsequent REED MY LIPS: THE FINAL MIX, (release date TBD) which will be available on iTunes and in a physical CD format. Yonnet coined the term “Reality CD” to describe the bold concept of allowing fans to observe key phases of the production. “People are curious about the creative process so I decided to make them a part of it at a point when they could actually make a difference,” said Yonnet. While many of the tracks have been recorded and a packaging concept developed, Yonnet still has to make decisions about other elements such as artwork, guests, background vocals and song titles. Because fans were constantly asking about the status of the new album, Yonnet decided to give them an early listen, by releasing artwork and music tracks in their draft and evolutionary state. “I realize it’s risky to expose drafts outside of musical circles and even more risky to encourage feedback, but I welcome it,” said Yonnet.