Tune in to NPR as Frédéric Yonnet talks with “Tell Me More” host Michel Martin. They’ll talk about Yonnet’s innovative recording project, Reed My Lips, as well as how a skinny kid from France makes the harmonica cool, fashionable and even sexy.
Ten Facebook and Twitter friends that posted or tweeted about the event were selected to join Yonnet for the in-studio interview which taped on Monday, April 16th. The original air date is May 3rd but it you miss it, you can catch it online.
What Is ‘Tell Me More’?
“Nothing is assumed.” That’s the unofficial motto of Tell Me More, a Monday-Friday talk show with host Michel Martin. Grounded in lively interviewing and compelling storytelling, the program seeks to present diverse new voices, cross borders, challenge conventional wisdom and discover how other people think.’Tell Me More’ broadcasts on over 100 radio stations nationally and can be heard online at NPR.org. Check back for the exact air date!
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The arresting photo of Urban Jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet with the harmonica over his eye will be included in a jazz exhibit in the Miro Halls at UNESCO’s HQ in Paris in celebration of ”International Jazz Day”. The image of Yonnet, taken by German photographer Stephanie Pistal, will be on display from April 25-May 2, 2012.
“I’m really honored to be apart of UNESCO’s exhibit celebrating jazz but more excited that jazz is bring recognized as an important part of the global dialog promoting peace, tolerance and understanding. What better way to break down barriers, promote freedom of expression, uplift the marginalized, and encourage artistic innovation than through jazz”, said Yonnet.
Check back to see photos of the exhibit.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY
In November 2011, during the UNESCO General Conference, the international community proclaimed 30 April as “International Jazz Day”. According to the UNESCO website, International Jazz Day is “intended to raise awareness in the international community of the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people”. Across the world, governments, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and private citizens are encouraged to promote jazz music and create opportunities that foster greater appreciation not only for the music but also for the contribution it can make to building more inclusive societies.
Images and more info about the exhibit coming soon!
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On April 28th, the Smithsonian celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) with a free concert featuring performances by Frédéric Yonnet, Marcus Johnson and Alejandro Lucini’s Origem. The Anacostia River & Jazz Festival features live, world-class performances in one of the crown jewels of the Anacostia region– Anacostia Park.
Festivities begin at 10:00 a.m. with an open house that highlights the National Park sites, partners, and numerous stakeholders that preserve and protect the Anacostia region. Beginning at noon, you’re invited to groove to the Brazilian rhythms of Origem, experience the funky sounds of urban jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet, and rock with Washington D.C.’s own Marcus Johnson. Additional performances by The East of the River Boys and Girls Steel Band, Jazz Tales and Traditions with Victor Provost, and Tony Small and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Teen Arts Performance Troupe.
Enjoy canoe rides, fishing and bicycling demonstrations, musical workshops, and much more. Bring your harmonica or buy one on the spot as Yonnet will host a harmonica workshop for youth in the afternoon and perform on the main stage at 3:00 PM. Yonnet returns to the stage with Marcus Johnson’s show for a finale.
The event, sponsored by National Capital Parks-East, a unit of the National Park Service, and the Smithsonian Institution Jazz Appreciation Month program, blends jazz, art, nature, culture, and recreation. The festival provides an opportunity to connect audiences with the natural, cultural and recreational treasures found throughout the Anacostia region. “There will be something for people of all ages and interests,”said Park Superintendent Alex Romero. “I invite everyone to learn more about all that the Anacostia region has to offer. Take some time to experience this little-explored gem,” he added.
The event is free and open to the public. Free! Rain or Shine! To learn more, visit www.nps.gov/anac and www.smithsonianjazz.org.
Main Stage:
2PM – Alejandro Lucini
3PM – Frédéric Yonnet
4PM- Marcus Johnson
5PM – Finale ft/ Marcus Johnson and Frédéric Yonnet
Anacostia River and Jazz Festival
April 28, 2012
Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion
1900 Anacostia Drive Southeast
Washington, District of Columbia
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Photo credits: Carla Sims
Click NPR.org to hear the complete interview and then click “Touré” to hear the song that features Frédéric Yonnet.
Frédéric Yonnet joined the Touré-Raichel Collective during an in-studio performance on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday with host Rachel Martin. Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré, son of famed singer and guitarist Ali Farka Touré, collaborated with Israeli producer Idan Raichel to record the Tel-Aviv Session, which hit #1 on the iTune World Music chart this week. The Collective performed 3 tunes, including, “Touré” which features Yonnet on harmonica. “He’s very, very dangerous,” Touré said of Yonnet, “A warrior” on the harmonica.
The show originally aired on April 15 and can be heard online at NPR.org.
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Photo credits: Professional Image Photography, Ben Droz, Carla Sims and Frédéric Yonnet
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After almost 30 years in the dark, the Historic Howard Theatre re-opened it’s doors with a Grand Opening Gala and Benefit Concert on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at the newly restored Howard Theatre.
The star-studded affair celebrated the music made popular at the landmark venue, between the 1930’s and the 1970’s. Motown founder Barry Gordy received the first “Howard Theatre Living Legend Award” and world-renowned jazz pianist, writer and producer George Duke served as music director. The evening featured performances by legendary soul singers and musicians, Smokey Robinson, Joe Sample, Jimmy Heath, Les McCann, comedians Bill Cosby, Wanda Sykes and Dick Gregory, contemporary “hoofer,” Savion Glover, singers Lalah Hathaway, Chrisette Michele, Dianne Reeves, Raheem DeVaughn, urban jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet and more! FULL ARTICLE »
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Frédéric Yonnet was the surprise guests of electric violinist Karen Briggs at the 22nd annual Berks Jazz Festival. Briggs, who became a fan favorite after appearing at the 2011 fest with guitarist Chieli Minucci (Special EFX), “played it forward” by inviting Yonnet to join her this year. The crowd was brought to its feet after Yonnet performed a song from his current project, REED MY LIPS, which features Briggs. Later Yonnet returned to the stage to perform Briggs’ tune, “Beautiful Attitude”. Cheikh Ndoye (bass), Mark Prince (drums), Dan Leonard (guitar) and Eli Staples (keys) rounded out the funky rhythm section with pure music mastery.
The 22nd annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest takes place at various venues throughout the city of Reading, PA from March 23-April 1, 2012. Berks is one of the largest jazz festivals in the U.S., and included over 130 events!
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Frédéric Yonnet is featured on Vieux Farka Touré (Mali) and Idan Raichel (Israel) release The Tel Aviv Session on Cumbancha Records. To listen and purchase to the hypnotic track, visit www.toureraichel.com.
Judging from the album reviews, Yonnet’s performance is well received!
- Rootworld.com - “Perhaps the most energetic song of the session brings in a robust harmonica contribution from French musician Frédéric Yonnet, who pretty much steals “Touré” from the guitarist and pianist.”
About the Project: The virtuosic superstars from very different backgrounds, join together to create masterworks of collaboration and improvisation. After a chance meeting in an airport in Europe, Idan and Vieux forged a deep friendship that led to an impromptu get together at a small studio in Tel Aviv in November 2010. The resulting recording session – acoustic, spontaneous, entirely improvised, and stunningly beautiful – could only be described as magic, and The Touré-Raichel Collective was born. On the upcoming album The Tel Aviv Session, Idan and Vieux have captured an inspired musical moment that will bring to mind classic albums such as Talking Timbuktu by Ali Farka Touré with Ry Cooder, Keith Jarrett’s The Köln Concert or Vincent Segal and Ballake Sissoko’s acclaimed Chamber Music.
Click here for The Touré-Raichel Collective’s website. The Tel Aviv Session will be available internationally on March 27, 2012.
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