Eavesdrop on Yonnet

Jazz Harmonicist Frederic Yonnet Opens Physical and Virtual Window for Neighbors to “Eavesdrop” on Rehearsal

This past weekend, Frédéric Yonnet invited his neighbors – next door and virtual –  to eavesdrop on his band’s live rehearsal and jam session. It was his way to reconnect with neighbors in this period of COVID-19 social distancing. Neighbors were encouraged to open their windows, listen from their porches or tune in via Yonnet’s social media channels.

“We were going stir crazy in quarantine so we decided to get together to rehearse for an upcoming virtual show,” said Yonnet. 

They transformed an empty space into a makeshift rehearsal studio with ceiling to floor clear plastic dividers that created a room for each musician to have their space. 

“Song by song – and through our facemasks – if felt like we breathed life back into our souls,” said Yonnet. 

“We anticipated a few technical challenges bringing in guests across all the social platforms and that’s why we wanted to do a few rehearsals,” said Yonnet referencing sessions held on both Friday and Sunday.

By opening the windows in the house, they opened the window to the community, allowing people to eavesdrop on the session. Respecting the new norms of social distancing imposed by the Coronavirus, neighbors observed from their porches. Passersby watched from the sidewalks. 

“Hearing folks cheer from outside the window gave us the feedback our spirits needed,” said Yonnet. 

Actual and virtual neighbors can listen in on Yonnet and his band each Sunday at 4:00pm as they open up the window to the world by sharing on Facebook Live and Instagram Live.