A versatile and melodic harmonica player and composer, Yvonnick Prené has appeared on recordings by jazz instrumentalists such as Vic Juris, Peter Bernstein, and Scott Tixier. The Paris-born musician, now Manhattan-based, released his first solo effort, Jour de Fête, in 2013. His fifth album, New York Moments from 2019, placed the harmonica in the company of Hammond B3 organ and drums—the same instrumental blend that key influence Toots Thielemans helped establish on select sessions.
Raised in the French capital, Prené took up guitar in childhood before shifting his attention to the harmonica. After an initial period on diatonic models, he concentrated on the chromatic harmonica. He began performing in local clubs at age 17 and received an undergraduate music degree from the Sorbonne in 2007. While pursuing a master’s degree at the same institution, he relocated to New York City and obtained scholarships for study at the City College of New York, Columbia University, and the New School. He finished the Sorbonne master’s shortly before completing a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance at the New School in 2011. In January 2013 Prené established the New York Harmonica School, and SteepleChase Records brought out Jour de Fête two months later.
For his second album, Wonderful World in 2014, Prené directed the Padam Swing band. The following year he issued Merci Toots, a tribute to Thielemans recorded with guitarist Pasquale Grasso, and he also released his first instructional volume, 100 Jazz Patterns for Chromatic Harmonica. Breathe, his 2016 release, featured guitarist Peter Bernstein, organist Jared Gold, and drummer Allan Mednard.
After issuing three albums independently, Prené rejoined SteepleChase for New York Moments in 2019. The date set combined original pieces with compositions by Bill Evans and Miles Davis and enlisted organist Brian Charette alongside drummer Jordan Young.
