Brooklyn based quartet, Padam Swing are set to release their
forthcoming album, Wonderful World, a triumphant effort that sees the group, as
fronted by chromatic harmonicist, Yvonnick Prene, blend gorgeously layered
textures of traditional gypsy jazz with licks of contemporary and modern
groove.
Inspired
by the musical genius of Django Reinhardt heard echoing through the streets of
Paris during the 30's and 40's, Padam Swing continue an esteemed tradition with
Wonderful World, while breathing a new light on modern jazz through
experimentation of rapid tempos and bold key changes.
It's a
staggering achievement from the four pieces, comprised of Scott Tixier
(violin), Michael Valeanu (guitar) and Lorin Cohen (bass), and lead by Yvonnick
Prene, whose foundations in jazz were laid at an early age. "As a child I
was often alone in my apartment in the suburbs of Paris - my parents were
working late," remembers Prene, who grew up listening to his father's CD
collection (think Rolling Stones, Muddy Water, Sonny Boy Williamson).
"When I was 7, there was a guitar with broken strings and a plastic toy
harmonica in the apartment, and I couldn't use the guitar so I took the
harmonica and started to bring it to school."
Prene's
career officially began in Paris at 17. Since then, Prene has gone onto garner
attention and gain prestigious awards for his outstanding showmanship, both as
harmonica performer and composer. In 2007, Prene was named as a finalist in the
"Trophées du Sunside" competition in Paris alongside his band, and
was invited to participate in the prestigious Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Residency
Program in Washington D.C, 2011.
His
distinction continued to elevate Prene amongst his peers in North America, and
was the first harmonica player selected to audition for the distinguished
Thelonious Monk Institute in Los Angeles, performing in front of jazz legends
Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jimmy Heat, Kenny Burrell and James Newton.
Following his audition, doors continued to open for Prene, and he was awarded
multiple full-tuition scholarships at The City College of New York, (MICEFA
2007), Columbia University (Alliance Program, 2008) and at the New School for
Jazz and Contemporary Music (Merit-Based Scholarship, 2009). It was here are
the New School that Prene had the opportunity to study with the masterful Lee
Konitz, Reggie Washington, John Patittuci, Peter Bernstein, Charles Persip,
Kevin Hays, Charles Tolliver, Ben Street, Jerome Sabbagh, and Aaron Goldberg.
After
gaining his Masters in Music and Research at Sorbonne University in 2011, and a
Bachelor of Art from the New School, Yvonne signed to Danish label, Steeple
Chase Records, through which he released his stunning debut album, "Jour
de Fete," and saw Prene tour in almost every corner of the globe across
Europe, North America and The Caribbean.
Wonderful
World takes listeners on an ethereal journey, with original gypsy bossa tracks
composed by Prene himself including the playful, "The Swimmer," to
Johnny Green's exuberant "Coquette," and the glittering "Duke
Ellington's Sound Of Love" composed by Charlie Mingus. It's truly a modern
masterpiece by some of the most talented contemporary musicians in the jazz
world.
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