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!

“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!

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

nVMe — made up of  Mesta, Ganosha and Vito — are self-proclaimed crate diggers, beat-masters and mixologists that contributed five tracks to the project, so far.  ”We laid the beats and Yonnet used the harmonica to create melodies that ‘stick to the ribs’, said nVMe’s Mesta Bish.

Once all the live recordings are complete, nVMe will remix the entire project giving it just the right edge and energy to appeal to jazz enthusiasts and hip-hop head alike.

Sean Miles
When DC-based writer, producer and keyboardist Sean Miles presented his Marvin Gaye-inspired track to Yonnet for consideration on Reed My Lips, Yonnet knew right away that it would be a departure from the other songs he was considering.  Miles’ song was light, bouncy, even refreshing as compared to the more aggressive songs being recorded. Nonetheless, the track tugged at the playful side of Yonnet so much that he wrote a melody in the voice a mischievous child.  The song is titled The Kid in Me.

Overall, the albums bold, aggressive and head-bobbing rhythms signal not only that Yonnet wants to play; with REED MY LIPS he clearly has something to say.

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.

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!

The Benefit Concert payed tribute to legendary musical figures who were significant players at the Howard Theatre including: Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun, brothers and founders of Atlantic Records who started their company with talent they discovered at the Howard Theatre; Dr. Billy Taylor, legendary jazz musician and music educator from Washington, DC; Ella Fitzgerald, acclaimed jazz vocalist; and Marvin Gaye, legendary R&B singer, lyricist, and producer, also a Washington, DC native.

The historic arts landmark, which launched the careers of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye and The Supremes, re-opens after a $29 million renovation, and an ongoing capitol campaign to construct an Educational Center in the rear of the theatre. The new 12,000 square foot space seats 650 (1,100-standing) and features a full service restaurant for dinner and brunch overseen by famed chef Marcus Samuelsson. A couple dozen shows are already lined up for the rest of the season that includes Chuck Berry, Chaka Khan, Esperanza Spalding, Jack Bruce, Boyz II Men and a weekly Sunday Brunch featuring the Harlem Gospel Choir, Wale, The Roots, Robert Randolph, Taj Mahal, Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), Meshell Ndegeocello, Bad Brains, Chuck Brown and comedienne Wanda Sykes.

The proceeds from the gala support the building of an extension to house the Howard Theatre Culture and Education Center. The Center will include a museum, recording studio, listening library, classrooms and donor lounge. For more information, visit www.howardtheatre.org or thehowardtheatre.com.

The Howard Theatre is operated by Blue Note Entertainment Group, the owners and operators of clubs and theaters around the world which include the Blue Note Jazz Club, B.B. King Blues Club and The Highline Ballroom in New York.

Full line-up:

George Duke (Music Director)

• Afro Blue
• Tonya Blount
• Raheem DeVaughn
• Savion Glover
• Berry Gordy *** Honoree
• Dick Gregory
• Lalah Hathaway
• Jimmy Heath
• Al Jarreau
• LCB (Leonard, Coleman & Blunt)
• Les McCann
• Frank McComb
• Chrisette Michele
• Keb Mo
• Bobby Parker
• Madeleine Peyroux
• Robert Randolph
• Dianne Reeves
• Martha Reeves
• Eric Roberson
• Smokey Robinson
• Joe Sample
• Donnie Simpson
• Alice Smith
• Wanda Sykes
• Leslie Uggams
• Warren Wolf
• Frédéric Yonnet

Read reviews from the Howard Theatre Opening Gala:

• Washintonian Magazine – Inside the Howard Theatre Gala (Pictures)
• PRNews Wire – Historic Howard Theatre Re-opens Today
• CBS News – DC’s historic Howard Theatre opens new chapter
• Examiner -  Howard Theatre’s re-opening gala paid tribute to Motown legend Berry Gordy
• USAToday – Red carpet report: Howard Theatre’s Grand Opening Gala
• Washington Times – Reopened Howard Theatre offers nostalgia with a new vibe

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!

]]> http://www.fredyonnet.com/index.php/front-page/yonnet-joins-violinist-karen-briggs-berks-jazz-fest-2/feed/ 0 http://www.fredyonnet.com/index.php/front-page/yonnet-ft-on-toure-raichel-collective/ http://www.fredyonnet.com/index.php/front-page/yonnet-ft-on-toure-raichel-collective/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:59:10 +0000 Admin http://www.fredyonnet.com/?p=3343 Read more]]> 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.”

• www.worldbeatinternational.com – “Frédéric Yonnet slam dunks the harmonica blues for the standout, Toure.”

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.

Award-winning Gospel Singers Vickie Winans, and Smokie Norful, Urban Jazz Harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet, and WPAS choir Women of the Gospel Performed at Dorothy Height’s Call for Service Centennial Celebration

On March 17, 2012, urban jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet joined the Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation and the National Council of Negro Women for the kick-off of a week-long call-for-service marking the 100th birthday of civil rights, women rights and social activist Dorothy Height, who died in 2010 at 98 years. The 2-hour kick-off program, which started at 3:00 PM at Shilo Baptist Church in Washingotn, DC, was a celebration of music and a call for everyone to participate in some form of service to others during the seven days leading up to March 24, Dr. Height was born in 1912. The event was free and open to the public. Doors opened at 2:00 PM and seats were limited.  Dr. Height’s favorite color was purple so everyone was encouraged to wear purple.Among the program participants were former Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, who is the president of the Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation; NCNW chair Barbara Shaw; AME Presiding Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie; Stellar Award-winning gospel singer Vickie Winans; Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Smokie Norful; Washington Performing Arts Society choir Women of the Gospel; and a presentation by the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center Blacks in Wax. Television anchor Maureen Bunyon served as the program mistress of ceremony. For more info visit: www.dorothyireneheight.org.  Be sure to Tweet @dihefoundation, #dorothyheight or Facebook DIHEFoundation.

Date: Saturday, August 4, 2012

Time: TBD

Tickets: Early bird special: Adults, $65.  After March 31: $75
To purchase tickets, visit www.mvjazzfest.com