FREDERIC YONNET: Front and Center

Frederic Yonnet

Front and Center

© 2004 Frederic Yonnet (825346247021)

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One of a handful of musicians to successfully demonstrate the harmonica's versatility as a lead instrument in contemporary jazz, as well as other genres of music. It funks. It rocks. It hips and hops. It grooves. It sways. It testifies.

tracks

1 Boogie On Reggae Woman
2 Days of Wine and Roses
3 Eden Legrand
4 God Bless the Child
5 What a Wonderful World
6 Artspace 2.0
7 For the Love of You
8 Time After Time
9 What's Going On
10 Autumn Leaves

notes

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.

Front & Center was recorded in Paris and Washington, DC. Accompanying Yonnet is Vincent Evans, keyboards, Davis Dyson and Michael Bowie, bass, Stanley Cooper, guitar, Jay Nichols, drums. Select tunes feature Eric Valentine, drums, Amadou "Doudou" N'gome, talking drums, Patrick "Feedback" Serbac, percussions and Michel Randrianarisoa, guitar.

reviews

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  • Don't Sleep
    author: Crystal Gaither

    This guy is amazing. I saw him perfom with India.Aire and he stole the show. High energy. He is going places. Don't sleet on this brother. Check out his video's on YouTube.com.

  • great !
    author: clement belmonte

    excellent, amazing ! La musique est excellente, l'homme l'est tout autant. Bravo et merci ! clem

  • I first saw this artist at Dave Chappeles block party in Yellow Springs Ohio.He blew mw away.The CD is great and a must hear even if you think you won't like a whole CD full of harmonica,You will

  • author: Bluesfan60

    Harp is my favorite instrument & you are great

  • Frederic Yonnet IS Front & Center!
    author: W. Royal Stokes, Jazz Times

    Harmonica has played a monumental role in the blues idiom but in jazz it has been employed successfully by only several musicians, Toots Thielemans, Howard Levy and Frédéric Yonnet coming to mind as three who have made significant contributions in the instrument."

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