Yvonnick Prene

A harmonica player and composer known for his versatile, melodic style, Yvonnick Prené has recorded with jazz instrumentalists including Vic Juris, Peter Bernstein, and Scott Tixier. A French native based in Manhattan, his solo debut, Jour de Fête, appeared in 2013. Prené's fifth album, 2019's New York Moments, featured a harmonica alongside Hammond B3 organ and drums, a combination popularized on certain recordings by key influence Toots Thielemans. Born and raised in Paris, Yvonnick Prené started out on guitar as a child before switching his focus to harmonica. After beginning on diatonic harmonica, he specialized in chromatic harmonica. Prené began playing in area clubs at the age of 17 and completed an undergraduate degree in music from the Sorbonne in 2007. While enrolled in a master's program there, he moved to New York City, where he was awarded scholarships to study at the City College of New York, Columbia University, and the New School. He completed his master's degree from the Sorbonne shortly before earning a bachelor's in jazz performance from the New School in 2011. Prené founded the New York Harmonica School in January 2013, and SteepleChase Records issued his debut album, Jour de Fête, that March. Prené led the Padam Swing band on his second album, 2014's Wonderful World, following it in 2015 with Merci Toots, a collaboration with guitarist Pasquale Grasso that paid tribute to Thielemans. That year, he also published his first of many instructional books, 100 Jazz Patterns for Chromatic Harmonica. His next album, 2016's Breathe, was recorded with guitarist Peter Bernstein, organist Jared Gold, and drummer Allan Mednard. After three self-released albums, Prené returned to SteepleChase for 2019's New York Moments. A set of originals alongside compositions by Bill Evans and Miles Davis, it saw him joined by organist Brian Charette and drummer Jordan Young.
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