(Swing,Gypsy) Yvonnick Prene & Padam Swing - Wonderful World - 2013, MP3, 320

Padam Swing melds the spirit of traditional gypsy jazz and french songs with modern grooves, improvisation and east coast attitude.
New York, NY - 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 piece, 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, andAaron 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.

Yvonnick Prene specializes in the chromatic harmonica and makes it swing with the gypsy-styled band Padam swing on this mix of originals and jazz standards. Homages the Django Reinhardt are felt on the joyful takes of “Coquette” and bohemian “La Valse d’Amy” which includes some caravanesque guitar chords by Michael Valeanu and bowed joy by violinist Scott Tixier. The mixture of textures of Tixier, Prene and Mike King’s piano on Sting’s “Shape of My Heart” leaves a thoughtful and deep impression, while the idea of taking Charles Mingus’ “Duke Ellington’s Sound Of Love” was an adventure of genius. Prene’s got a warm sound to his harp, geting cozy on “Desafinado” and bluesy on Horace Silver’s “Strollin’.” Lots to enjoy here.