Yonnet Brings Purple Haze Over
Blues Alley Jazz Club

[June 24, 2009:Washington, DC] The fireworks start early this 4th of July weekend when Yonnet teams up with Josh Dunham and Cora Coleman-Dunham, the husband and wife rhythm section for Prince, along with Vince Evans on keys and Bennett Scher on guitar. Together, they'll bring the funk to the famed Blues Alley Jazz Club.

Date: Thursday, July 2, 2009
Where: Blues Alley Jazz Club
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Time: Two shows - 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM
Cover: $25

Cora Coleman-Dunham, a Howard University grad, is highly regarded as one of the best drummers of her generation. She's currently featured on the "Fantastic Four" cover of Modern Drummer magazine. Cora, and her husband Josh, whose credits include a stint with Patti Labelle and recordings with bluesman Zac Harmon, hold it down for Yonnet while bringing their signature style to Blues Alley. Later this summer, the three musicians are expected to link up for shows with Prince. Join Yonnet on Facebook and Twitter to find out where.

Yonnet Shows His Country Side on the New Jonas Brothers CD

Listen to a song clip on iTunes

[July15, 2009] Yonnet is noted for expanded the perception of the harmonica, but every now and then, he get's a little Country. On the new Jonas Brothers' CD, Lines, Vines and Trying Times, Yonnet riffs on the track seven, "What DId I Do To Your Heart". If you're expecting to hear lengthly Yonnet solos then you'll be disappointed, however you'll smile when you hear his signature sound break through.

According to Billboard magazine, the Jonas Brothers "enlisted such Nashville stalwarts as steel pedal guitar specialist Bruce Bouto and Stuart Duncan, who played fiddle on Robert Plant & Alison Krauss' "Raising Sand," and harmonica player Frédéric Yonnet, best-known for his collaborations with Prince."

"Recording with Disney on the Jonas Brothers project was a great opportunity," said Yonnet. "Believe it or not, I used to play in a Country band in France called the Naughty Harps. I'm totally comfortable playing Country music."

The CD, which was released on June 16, debuted this week in the #1 spots in the US, Canada, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Central America.

Is That Fred in the Cape on Leno?
Yonnet Joins Prince for 3 Night Stand on Leno

[March 25, 2009:Los Angeles, CA] After Yonnet appeared with Prince for three consececutive nights on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno the emails started flying. "Is Fred wearing a Snuggie?" "What's up with his hair?" Although his styling raised questions, it fit perfect with the release of Prince's latest CD, LOtUSFLOW3R, a guitar-based collection that rocks in homage to '60s psychedelia.

The background singers looked like the Rainbow Children while Yonnet channeled Jimi Hendrix in his black velvet cape and distressed peace sign t-shirt, courtesy of J. Gerard Design Studio and Peace Gallery. The hair? Your guess is as good as ours.

Check out this animation posted by NouveauDanc as well as other post-show comments on the Prince.org fan site.

Most of the videos have been removed from the popular video sharing sites but you can sign up on LOTUSFLOW3R.com to see these videos and more.

UPDATE: We found a link that still has the videos the The Tonight Show... check it out while it last.

Show date: March 25, 26 and 27.

Musician Gets Some Princely Publicity
By Amy Argetsinger for The Reliable Source, Washington Post

[February 24, 2009] As Dave Chappelle's publicist, Carla Sims has one of the more interesting jobs in D.C. -- the lady we're always calling to ask, "Someone saw Dave smoking a cigarette outside the White House?" or "Was Dave skateboarding on K Street?" (The answer, generally: Yes.)

Her household is getting even more interesting: Husband Frédéric Yonnet, a jazz harmonica player, will tour with Prince. That's how we got into a spellbinding post-Oscar party here in Hollywood -- Prince jamming for hours with a red-hot band, shouting "Come on, Yonnet!" as the 36-year-old Frenchman wailed on harp.

Sims told us Prince first heard Yonnet dueting with Stevie Wonder at a 2007 Madison Square Garden concert; last summer, the couple attended a party at Prince's home, and the star remembered him. "You have to come jam with us," he said.

And how is playing with His Highness? "To make it work, I have to keep my eye on him," Yonnet told us. "His cues are very subtle. But then you start to hear what he hears. It's very spontaneous. That's how he likes it, that's how it is."

Prince's Oscar Night House Party:
Funkin' 'til Dawn
By Whitney Pastorek for Entertainment Weekly

... It was 1:39 a.m. when the band at last took the stage, and teased with the opening chords of "Purple Rain" before transforming them into a funky jam anchored -- as was much of the night -- by the extraordinarily hardcore blues-harp blow of Frenchman Frédéric Yonnet. At 1:44, the tiny guitar god emerged, clad in what looked to be fancy black pajamas with mirrored embellishments at the neckline and cuffs, twirling a bedazzled cane with panache before picking up his axe for a groove that wandered through Allen Toussaint's "Yes We Can Can" and some very "Also Sprach Zarathustra" aaaahs before bizarrely landing in a square-on cover of "Let's Go." Which is a Cars song. Which was pretty much how the whole evening went...

Read the entire story

Prince Breaks Out Beatles, Rolling Stones at Oscar Party
By Shirley Halperin

[Fwbruary 23, 2009] ...Starting close 1:45, the nearly two-hour set kicked off with a tease — the opening progression to “Purple Rain,” which brought out the diminutive Prince, strolling onto the stage carrying a blinged-out baton. He soon traded it in for a guitar and, backed by a three-piece band (keyboardist Morris Hayes, drummer Cora Dunham and bassist Joshua Dunham), backup singers Shelby Johnson and Olivia Warfield and killer harmonica player Frédéric Yonnet, Prince launched into a string of covers, beginning with The Cars’ “Let’s Go” and segueing into “Crimson and Clover” mashed with “Wild Thing.” “I’m the DJ tonight,” he boasted from the stage shortly after dedicating the night to Oscar winner Penélope Cruz and giving a nod to celebrities viewing from the VIP area. Among them: Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, Angie Harmon, Tyler Perry, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson...

Read the entire story

Frédéric featured on theRoot.com

By Abdul Ali

[February 5, 2009]..."In a clip of him in a concert hosted by Dave Chappelle, you can hear the blues aesthetic at work. There is something not from this time or planet in his performance. He reaches what many jazz musicians call the “sublime” in relatively short breaths. This is just a sample of what it’s like to experience his performance in person.
His virtuoso performance aside, his music left me dumbfounded, the way he could slip into a tune and make it his own. To see Frédéric boogie-woogie on his harmonica over a Chaka Khan song or a Stevie Wonder song shattered any notions I had about what it means to be black. I’m convinced this “soul” that infuses this black Frenchmen’s music is something you cannot learn or imitate. Something happened that moment I heard Yonnet play his harmonica. " ...

Read the entire story

Prince Unveils Plan to Release Three LPs Via Lotusflow3r Website at Private Gig

... "Prince is in the corner with a guitar and the first song is a shimmering cover of the Cars’ “Let’s Go,” followed by “Crimson & Clover” (by Tommy James and the Shondells), before erupting into the Troggs’ “Wild Thing” as Prince raises his guitar, singing like Hendrix himself: “Baby, I think I love you . . . sock it to me!”
He calls harmonica player Frédéric Yonnet up to blow through the Rolling Stones’ “Miss You,” following a tough, sexy groove as Prince announces: “Come on out on the dance floor, come on!” It’s just the first of two sets he’ll lead tonight, and it’s a purely musical performance, without the big production of a tour date, playing vivid originals going all the way back to 1979’s “I Feel for You” and surprising cover tunes, including several Sly Stone hits (”Everyday People,” “Stand,” etc.).

Read the entire story

Read other related stories:
Kat Corbett's Blog
Scott Sterling 's Blog

Prince's "21 Nights" Book Release Concert with Special Guest Frédéric Yonnet

a New York Times Review

"The shows’ impact was intensified by its scale: Prince, three band members (not counting the harmonica player Frédéric Yonnet, who popped in and out), and two singers were crammed on a tiny elevated stage, playing in a room the size of a four-car garage. For the dour Prince of the late ’90s this might have been a suffocating setup, but in recent years — from 2004’s flexible “Musicology” to his sly performance at the 2007 Super Bowl — he has rediscovered some electricity and vigor of his early years...

That Prince was confident in his crew was evident by just how much of the time he removed himself from the spotlight — feigning exhaustion as Mr. Yonnet played any of several exemplary solos; working a shaker while his backup vocalists, Marva King and Shelby Johnson, took over. Sometimes he wasn’t doing anything but watching, happy to be catching a good show."

Read the entire story

Read other related stories:

Purple Kiss (en Français)

MTV

VH1

Frédéric is a Washingtonian's Hot Ticket.

Frédéric Yonnet is profiled has one of the Show Stoppers in this months issue of the Washingtonian

"Washington has a lot of talent, with great singers, dancers, actors, and musicians by the hundreds. Here are 20 exciting performers and groups well worth a trip to the theater, nightclub, or concert all."

Read the entire story

Stevie Wonders ‘Magical All-Star Line up featured Tony Bennett, Prince and Frédéric Yonnet

In the wrap up of the Stevie Wonder concert in New York on Nov. 17th, Fox reporter Roger Friedman writes that "only the great Stevie Wonder, a megawatt genius with an outsized career and staggering song catalog, could have pulled off his concert on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden."

He goes on to say, "The show is magic, and it’is not static by any means. Stevie doesn't spend the whole night seated behind the piano, either. At one point, standing, he and guest artist Frédéric Yonnet — a Wonder disciple — had a crazy harmonica duel that almost sent Stevie flying off the stage in a frenzy." Read the entire story.

They’re aren’t many people that would take on Wonder head to head but Yonnet proved more than capable on their rendition of “Boogie on Reggae Woman”. "It was like watching Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi," said Juliet Gilliam, an audience member and fan of both. "There was a complicity between the two that was more impressive and genuine than competitive."

Yonnet's energy is contagious and Wonder felt the vibe. As they took the music higher and higher, they were literally taken to their knees, at one point, holding each other's hands to keep balance. The exchange not only demonstrated their harmonica acrobatics but also the depth of their burgeoning friendship. Just like during the concert shows in Boston and Washington, DC, the crowd loved it.

Other guest stars at the MSG show included Prince — who played a wicked guitar solo on “Superstition” — and the legendary 81-year-old Tony Bennett, who joined him for a historic duet on their shared hit from the late 60s, “For Once In My Life.”

After the two and a half hour show, Yonnet joined a host of Stevie’s guests — including his beautiful wife, designer Kai Milla, comic Chris Tucker, pop legends Ashford & Simpson, actor Anthony Mackie, attorney Londell McMillan, Tonya Lee, Warner Music’s Kevin Liles, publicist Carla Sims, and BET’s Steven Hill — for a private dinner at Mr. Chow’s. But the party did not end there, a smaller entourage joined Stevie and Kai at the club Rebel, hosted by DJ Spinna & Bobbito Garcia and featured all Stevie Wonder music. They partied until 5 am. It was magical night indeed.

Read other related stories:
NPR.com
FOX.com
New York Times

Frédéric Yonnet featured on Danaroc.com

Check out Dana Roc's interview with Frédéric in the "Inspiring People" section of danaroc.com

Highlights of a Wonderful Summer

[September-October 2007]

This summer Frédéric and some of his favorite artists got together on stage to generate a whole lot of musical energy. The most exciting moment: A duet with musical idol and friend Stevie Wonder.

In Case You Missed It...

[Washington, DC] - When Billy Crystal wanted to set the mood during his acceptance speech for the Mark Twain Prize, producers called Frédéric Yonnet. As Crystal mimicked Mark Twain, Yonnet added sounds of the era. The PBS special, taped at the Kennedy Center on October 11, airs beginning November 12. Check local listings.

Other performers and presenters included Robin Williams, Whoppi Goldberg, Robert De Niro, Danny De Vito, Barbara Walters, Jon Lovitz, Rob Reiner, Jimmy Fallon, Martin Short, Joe Torre, and Madeleine Peyroux. (photo credit: Joseph Allen)

A Wonder Summer's Night

Boston, MA - The stars were aligned when Stevie Wonder invited Frédéric Yonnet to perform during the last show of his 13-city A Wonder Summer's Night Tour. Frédéric performed "Boogie On Reggae Woman" with Wonder, in front of a sold out crowd at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston, MA, on Sept 20. Check out this fan-posted video. This was the first time Stevie Wonder has toured the US in 12 year and we bet it won't be his last. Photo: Stevie, Milton, Frédéric and Carla Sims.

Frédéric performed "Didn't You Know" with Erykah Badu in August during her show as part of "Fridays at Sunset" in Richmond, VA.

Check out these and other videos featuring Frédéric.

Hot Picks and Upcoming Events

[Washington, DC] - Frédéric performs as the special guest of Erykah Badu on Friday, September 28, at Love Night Club, 1350 Okie Street, NE. This invitation-only event, sponsored by Verizon, is one of many activities taking place during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference in DC.

Other upcoming events include:

[Washington, DC] Frédéric Yonnet performs at the private preview event celebrating the opening of the new Bloomingdale's store at Wisconsin Place in Chevy Chase on Tuesday, September 25 at 6 pm.

[Bethesda, MD] Frédéric Yonnet makes a guest appearance with India.Arie at the Music Center at Strathmore on Saturday, October 6th at 8:00 pm. The concert is part of the inaugural celebration of Dr. Mickey L. Burnim as President of Bowie State University. For tickets, visit Strathmore.org.

[Baltimore, MD] Join Frédéric for an Afternoon Concert and Reception at the Walters Art Museum, 600 N.Charles Street on Sunday, October 16 at 3 pm. Frédéric headlines and other performing artists include Kendall Leonard and Waters Phase II. The event, sponsored by the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, will benefit the Myrtle Tyler Faithful Fund.

The Shop@FredYonnet.com

The Shop@FredYonnet.com now carries C.A. Seydel Harmonicas for individuals, retailers and wholesalers. These top-of-the-line harps have been around since 1847 and are regarded by Frédéric as "the best in the world."

The Shop@FredYonnet.com, which also offers Frédéric Yonnet cds, t-shirts and hats, now accepts major credit cards. Call 202-547-8313 to place orders.

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This Summer's Hot Picks!

[July-August 2007]

This summer just got hotter with the music of Frédéric Yonnet. Check out the "Hot Picks" below to find out where you can see Frédéric perform live with his band.

Philadelphia, PA - Frédéric Yonnet performed a duet with three-time Grammy winner John Legend at The Kings and Queens Bash, an intimate and exclusive party on Thursday, July 26, at the world-famous Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. The duo's performance of John's hit Ordinary People on harmonica and piano was anything but ordinary.

Join the John Legend Network, www.johnlegend.com to see the entire show on video.

[Richmond, VA] - Frédéric heads to the Old Dominion on Tuesday, August 14 to perform as part of Richmond Jazz Society's Guest Educators Series. This "informance" is designed to entertain and educate audiences about how the harmonica has been incorporated into jazz. Reserve your ticket today for this show at The Canal Club, 1545 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA. While this event is smoke-free, it will be smoking HOT!

[Chicago, IL] Frédéric Yonnet performs on the jazz stage at the 18th Annual African Festival of the Arts on Friday, August 31 in Chicago's Washington Park. Other performers include Hugh Masekela, Goapele, Leela James, Randy Weston, Poncho Sanchez, James Cotton and Ron Carter.

Oakland, CA - There is no better way to celebrate the arrival of Fall than with good music. Don't miss Frédéric Yonnet at the 6th Annual Comcast Art & Soul Festival on Sunday, September 2, downtown Oakland's City Center. Yonnet will perform on the Soul Stage. Check www.artandsouloakland.com for more details.

Silver Spring, MD - Frédéric returns to perform at the 4th Annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival on Saturday, September 8 in downtown Silver Spring. The festival run from 11 am-10 pm. Frédéric performs from 5 pm-6 pm.

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[March 2007]

Blowing Your Mind

Isn't it curious that Frédéric would chose to play an instrument that takes his breath when it has always been so hard for him to catch it? As a child growing up with asthma, he carried an inhaler. As an adult, he carries a diatonic harmonica. The breathing and drawing of air through the harmonica has strengthened both his lungs and his spirit. The impressions are in his music.

If you've heard and enjoyed Frédéric's music and videos, click the forward button below to share them with others. Warning: It may take their breath away.

Yonnet Brings Afropean Spice to the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe

Washington, DC - Frédéric returns to the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe located in the Museum of Natural History, on Friday, March 30, from 6:00 pm- 10:00 pm. Frederic and his band will be joined by guest vocalist Patrick DeSantos, one on the finest Brazilian and R&B vocalist in the DC area. Together, they bring an "Afropean spice" to the Jazz Café menu. Arrive early, enjoy dinner and plan to be thoroughly entertained. Bring the entire family. Children 12 and under admitted free. Cover: $10/no minimums.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is located at Constitution Avenue and 10th Street, NW Washington, DC (use the Constitution Avenue entrance). METRO to Federal Triangle or Smithsonian Station (Blue and Orange Lines).

Yonnet Bites the Big Apple

[New York, NY] - Basketball fans will be blown away when Frédéric performs the national anthem during the New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76's game on Wednesday, April 4, at Madison Square Garden. Arrive promptly at 7:30 pm to see his performance.

New York, NY - ­ If you miss Frédéric in "The Garden" then catch him at the Apple Store in SOHO on Friday, April 6, from 7:00 pm -8:00 pm. iTunes and Apple will promote Frederic's CD, Front & Center online and during a live, in-store performance with his band. The Apple Store is located at 103 Prince St. SOHO, New York.

Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler

New Orleans, LA - Frédéric returns to Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club for two shows, Friday and Saturday, April 27-28, 10:00 pm and midnight, during the Jazz & Heritage Festival weekend. If you're headed to the fairgrounds, be sure to stop by the Jazz Tent where Frédéric will be the special guest of electronic violinist, Michael Ward. That same evening, Ward joins Frédéric at Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club for two shows.

Frédéric will also host a master class in New Orleans for beginners and advanced players. Register by calling 202-547-8313.  

Off to the Races

Louisville, KY - Grab your derby hat and make your way to one of the most star-studded events of the summer, the 133rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Frédéric will provide entertainment at the sixth annual Grand Gala VIP reception and birthday celebration for Muhammad Ali on Friday, May 4. Frédéric will also perform at the Grand Gala after party on Derby day, Saturday, May 5.

India.Arie & Yonnet Salute Stevie Wonder

Washington, DC - Singer India.Arie (L) and Frédéric Yonnet performed the Stevie Wonder tune, Heaven is Ten Zillion Light Years Away, during the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, (ASCAP), annual "Songwriter Night", March 13, in Washington, DC. This year, ASCAP presented the first Troubadour Award to Stevie Wonder. Other performers that helped celebrate the "Wonderful" one included Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson, Chaka Khan, Joan Osbourn, Wyclef Jean Jon Faddis and Dianne Reeves.

Grammy Weekend

The stars came out for the Roots 4th Annual Grammy Jam Session held at the Key Club in LA on February 9, 2007. One of the highlights of the evening was Anita Baker who took the stage scattin' and giving us the best that she had. Ms. Baker then invited India.Arie on stage with her to freestyle on her flute. Frédéric joined Indie.Arie and they made beautiful music together. Other notables on the stage and/or in the crowd included Talib Kweli, Queen Latifah, Matisyahu, Jill Scott, Dave Chappelle, Common, the Black Eye Peas, Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump, will.i.am, Isaiah Washington, and many more.

Don't Blow It...

If you've got harmonica skills or you want to develop some, join Frédéric at Middle C Music, Washington, DC, on Saturday, April 14 for a "Reed Your Lips" Harmonica Master class. Beginner and intermediate/advanced classes begin at 10:00 am and 11:00 am respectively. Space is limited so register by calling Middle C Music, 202-244-7326.

Check the Web site for upcoming information about other group classes and workshops that will be held at throughout the summer.

If you'd like private harmonica lessons the next time Frédéric is in a town near you, call 202.547.8313.

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[January 2007]

Catch It Here...

Missed Frédéric's last performance? Having a hard time explaining to friends how dynamic he is on stage? Then check out some of the videos on YOUTUBE.com.

Frédéric jams with Erykah Badu

Frédéric perform National Anthem @ Wizards game

Frédéric performs Boogie On Reggae Woman

Frédéric performs Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing for Dave Chappelle

Feel free to add comment, forward to a friend or add to your site.

Music in the Mansion

In the House. Frédéric and his band return to the Strathmore Mansion on Friday, February 1, from 7:30-9 pm as part of Strathmore's Music in the Mansion series. Discover "a true virtuoso" (The Washington Post) straight out of the European jazz underground.

Accompanying Frédéric is Dan Reynolds on keyboard, Gary Grainger on bass and Robert "Mousey" Thompson on drums. Tickets are $26 and can be purchased online or by calling (301) 581-5199. Seating is limited so reserve your tickets today.

The Mansion at Strathmore is located at 10701 Rockville, Pike, North Bethesda, MD.

Jazz Meets Classical: Frédéric Performs with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

Frédéric joins cellist Karen Patterson and her jazz ensemble as they perform classical, jazz, dance, gospel, and uniquely African-American music with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (DPO) on February 17, at 8 pm in the Schuster Center, Dayton, Ohio.

"We're really excited to have Frederic as apart of our ensemble," said Karen Patterson. "He brings so much energy to his performance that this is sure to be a night of boundless harmony."

The ensemble, which includes pianist Vince Evans, saxophonist Donald Walden, blues guitarist Nerak Roth Patterson, bassist Marion Hayden, and drummer Andre Wright, will join the DPO to perform works by Johannes Brahms, Antonin Dvoøák, Scott Joplin, Luiz Bonfa, Antonio Carlos Jobim, traditional American Gospel music, and a commissioned piece by Egyptian composer Halim El-Dabh. Tickets range from $7-$33 and can be purchased by calling 937-228-3630.

Schuster Performing Arts Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton, Ohio.

Reed Your Lips!

Don't miss Frédéric's free jazz harmonica workshop conducted at Strathmore on February 19, from 1:15 pm -2 pm as part of Discover Strathmore Free Open House. You'll understand what his CD entitled, "Blowing Your Mind in Every Key of the Harp" really means after participating in this 45-minute session. You'll experiment with techniques like over-blowing, drawing and tongue-blocking. Don't worry, this family-friendly workshop is open to everyone, but you must BYOH (Bring Your Own Harmonica), otherwise you can purchase one in the gift shop.

Stop by Room 402 in the Education Wing of the Strathmore Music Center to satisfy your curiosity. Be sure to get there early as the workshop is first come, first serve.

The Music Center at Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD.

In Case You Missed It...

The Wizard of Harps
Washington Wizards' fans rose to their feet as Frédéric performed the National Anthem during the Wizards vs. Orlando game on December 29th. The Wizards won the game and Frédéric won the praise of the fans as he so famously delivered the high notes. Catch the video on YouTube.com. Thanks again to many of you for helping to make 2006 fun and exciting. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

The following blurb appeared in The Washington Post Style section on Dec 5, 2006:

Hey, Isn't That?

Dave Chappelle, crashing a holiday office party at the Washington Marriott thrown by newsletter publisher Bureau of National Affairs. The enigmatic comic, in jeans and black sweater, wandered around the buffet a bit but never ate, and got shy when fans approached. What the heck? Turns out the D.C. native was in town Saturday to see pal Paul Mooney's show at the Lincoln Theatre but went to the BNA shindig because he's friends with Frederic Yonnet, the jazz harmonicist who was hired to play.