Michael Pagán

Michael Pagán is a jazz pianist, composer/arranger and educator who lives in the Kansas City area. He has released a number of critically acclaimed recordings and produced an extensive list of compositions and arrangements, mostly in the jazz idiom.

Since 2009 he has played solo piano every Tuesday night at the popular Cafe Trio in Kansas City. He also performs regularly with the bassist Steve Rigazzi in the duo PAGARAZZI.

Michael Pagán's jazz playing has been described on numerous occasions as elegant (Westword, Denver; Plastic Sax, Kansas City; Jazz Society of Oregon). As a pianist KCConfidential described him as “brilliant and intense.”

Pagán also leads an 18 piece big band under his own name that performs in the Kansas City region. The group mainly performs his compositions and arrangements as well as those of other members of the ensemble. In 2005 his big band CD “Pag's Groove” won unanimous critical praise in the U.S. and Europe.

Pagán teaches at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas, where he has been Chair of the Music Department since 2016. At O.U. he teaches music theory, jazz piano and jazz related courses. He also directs BRAVO!, the vocal jazz ensemble of Ottawa. He has also taught at the University of Missouri-Columbia, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the University of Colorado at Boulder, the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and Olivet College. He has also served as Director of Marketing and Communications at the American Jazz Museum. He earned graduate degrees in music composition from Kent State University and Northwestern.

Since 2009 he has played solo piano every Tuesday night at the popular Cafe Trio in Kansas City. He also performs regularly with the bassist Steve Rigazzi in the duo PAGARAZZI.

Michael Pagán frequently appears as an adjudicator, clinician and faculty member at jazz festivals and jazz camps. His recordings appear on the Cadence, Capri, Tapestry, Dutch Music Partners, and ARC labels and his works are published by UNC Jazz Press, P&D Jazz Publications and Dutch Music Partners. He continues to play the bass as a secondary instrument.

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Album Reviews

The Ottawa Sessions by Luigi Sforza
Three for the Ages by Edward Blanco
Pag's Groove by Michael P. Gladstone
Pag's Groove by Jack Bowers
Pag's Groove by Dan McClenaghan
Is Waiting for You by Jack Bowers

On Twelve Preludes and Fugues for Saxophone Quartet: ”Michael Pagán’s Twelve Preludes and Fugues for Saxophone Quartet is a monumental addition to the saxophone quartet literature. A substantial, creative and compelling work; I believe that listeners and performers alike will find its blend of classical and jazz styles stimulating and profoundly rewarding.” Tim Timmons, Professor of Saxophone University of Missouri Kansas City

“Pagán’s mastery of contrapuntal sophistication is on full display here...by far, the most swinging chamber music I’ve ever heard.” Wayne E. Goins, Jazz Ambassador Magazine

“...a showcase for Michael Pagán’s seemingly boundless eclecticism...“ Lucidculture.wordpress.com

“I have never heard such magnificent music composed for a saxophone quartet.” David J

“Pagán’s mastery of contrapuntal sophistication is on full display here...by far, the most swinging chamber music I’ve ever heard.” Wayne E. Goins, Jazz Ambassador Magazine

“...a showcase for Michael Pagán’s seemingly boundless eclecticism...“ Lucidculture.wordpress.com

“I have never heard such magnificent music composed for a saxophone quartet.” David J. Gibson, Editor, Saxophone Journal

On Three for the Ages: ”...a superior recording leaving little doubt that this pianist is a dynamic artist and musical force in today's jazz world.” Edward Blanco, allaboutjazz.com

“This is as masterful a piano trio effort as one can hear, anywhere, covering thoughtful ballads, midtempo swing, and the gorgeous original title track...Pagán delivers with clarity, reverence for melody, harmonic choices that reflect a broad emotional palette and luxurious spaces that allow each note to breathe fully. Bassist Bowman is a perfect foil and artful soloist throughout, drummer Ray DeMarchi a shimmering timekeeper”. Andrea Canter, Jazzpolice.com

“Piano heroes like Bill Evans, Hank Jones, Tommy Flanagan and Alan Broadbent have laid the groundwork for the elegant, in-the-pocket pianist Michael Pagán. Like theirs, his approach is to find both the beauty and the swing in the music. And, like them, his trio is just that...a trio where each player makes a significant contribution...the arrival of Michael Pagán in the small circle of jazz pianists who listen first and then find their own voice”. George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon

“Blessed with a beautiful touch and a steady stream of ideas to match, Pagan makes music that is beautiful and honest with tradition firmly in hand...Pagán and his trio have created an organ of beauty that stands out in the crowded foyer of piano/bass/drums jazz trios, but more for its command of subtlety than its overt pyrotechnics”. Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

On Pag’s Groove: “Now comes Michael Pagán, whose recording unveils a writer of uncommon ability and perception...Who knew he could make a big band sound so marvelous?...Pag’s Groove is a stellar album from start to finish, and as concerns Pagán’s big-band writing and arranging skills, that cat is out of the bag for good.” Jack Bowers, Cadence Magazine

“A fine pianist, [Pagán] is also, as this exceptional example of swinging big band jazz proves, a hugely talented composer arranger...he has the ability to conjure up scintillating lines, fondness for artful counterpoint, great attention to detail and clarity of focus.” Ray Comiskey, The Irish Times

“With bold dynamics, Pagán has crafted an original and compelling big band sound...A start-to-finish fine big band outing.” Dan McClenaghan, allaboutjazz.com

“Michael Pagán is a musician/educator and an excellent mainstream jazz pianist who deserves a lot more renown...Special attention has to be paid to ‘Lyric Interlude.’ It will grab you. The composition opens and closes as a bossa nova with eloquence...The core, however, is a majestic brass chorale. An inspired combination...Pag’s Groove is quality all the way.” Bill Falconer, Jazzreview.com

“As it turns out, KC managed to snare this gifted composer away...to the friendly confines of UMKC, where the already formidable Bobby Watson gets a chance to showcase Pagán’s talents as a pianist, arranger, and composer...[Pag’s Groove] will leave no doubt about how lucky UMKC is to have him as the latest addition to the family.” Wayne Goins, Jazz Ambassador Magazine Director of Jazz Studies, Kansas State University

“The music has an extra-ordinary quality of sounding very relaxed but at the same time, careful listening reveals a quality and depth that suggests that the album has been drawn from an exclusive archive of defining performances, in short there is a timeless quality about it...This is contemporary big band jazz at its most rewarding...a must have!” John Kiloch, mainlybigbands.com

On Nobody Else But Me: “Michael Pagán deserves recognition as a superior jazz pianist.” Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

“If Bach had played jazz, it might have sounded like this.” Brad Weismann, Colorado Daily

“An elegant classicist...Pagán flies solo with perfect assurance.” Bill Gallo, Westword

“Pagán’s melodic intelligence shines...simple and wonderfully effective.” David Lewis, Cadence Magazine

On John Hines In the Pocket: “Michael Pagán has a particularly light touch and his piano is the ideal companion for the leader’s trombone.” Paul Donnelly, ejazznews.com

“...and I can’t say enough about pianist Pagán’s part...when he gets his spot, things go to a level I didn't suspect existed.” Dan McClenaghan, allaboutjazz.com

On Duo: “This recording features the ‘Cadillac’ of vibraphone and piano duo performance by Doug Walter and Michael Pagán...There are really no words to describe the magic of this duo’s ensemble precision...Duo should be on everyone’s ‘must buy’ list.” Lisa Rogers, Percussive Notes

On “Is Waiting For You” ”He certainly knows the jazz tradition...the musicianship is excellent...and the leader [Pagán] has a very clean approach devoid of any clichés. Solid.” Mark Ladson, Marge Hofacre’s Jazz News

“Pagán is a fine pianist from a technical standpoint but he does not give in to garish display of his talents. The articulation of his lines, which move from blues to bop in a heartbeat, is impressive...Is Waiting for You is a subtle knockout.” Richard B. Kamins, Cadence Magazine

“He has a crisp touch and a very full piano style...there's excellent rapport between the pianist and the two rhythm men...a convincing debut for the group...” John Chadwick, Jazz Journal

“Pianist and composer Michael Pagán has a range as dramatic as the seasons’ changes outside his windows...this is one of the finest bop-oriented dates I've listened in on lately.” Andrew Bartlett, Arts Midwest

“Pagán delivers the whole package - melody, harmony and rhythm in abundance. Beyond that, he is an eye-opening and ear-catching pianist, technically sound and conspicuously resourceful.” Jack Bowers, www.allaboutjazz.com

From Live Performances: “Dynamite piano stylings...his performance was jazz- inspired through-and-through and the audience loved it.” Dominic Papatola, Duluth News-Tribune

“Sophisticated piano work” Inside Chicago Magazine

“...unmatched piano virtuosity...Michael’s keyboard skill is unbelievable...a memorable evening of superior jazz musicality.” Ed Fenner, KC Jazz Voice LLC

On Impromptu, Chorale & Fugue for Woodwind Quintet: “Bright, modest neoclassicism...played with energy and flair”. Tim Page, The New York Times

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Willing to teach

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Credentials/Background

Director of Jazz Studies, Olivet College; University of Minnesota Duluth; Interim Director of Jazz Studies, University of Colorado at Boulder; Assistant Director of Jazz Studies, University of Missouri Kansas City; Adjunct Professor of Jazz Piano, Ottawa University: Jazz Piano, Piano, Theory, Jazz Theory, Arranging, Composition, Combo, Director, BRAVO! (Jazz Singers)