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Michael Ragonese

Michael Ragonese is a Los Angeles based pianist, composer, arranger, and educator. He received his Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies at California State University Northridge, where he led jazz combos to 1st place at the Reno and Monterey Jazz Festivals, also receiving the “Best College Performer” award at the Reno Jazz Festival. In 2017, Michael took 2nd place out of 8 piano finalists across the world in Lee Ritenour's Six String Jazz competition.

Michael has performed, recorded, and worked with jazz artists such as Bennie Maupin, Charnett Moffett, Alphonso Johnson, Sue Raney, John Daversa, Louise Cole, Darek Oles, Gary Pratt, Walter Smith III, David Binney, Bob Reynolds, Bob Sheppard, Gene Coye, Rick Braun, Dave Koz, and Engelbert Humperdinck. Look for Michael on Dave Koz's new album!

Michael has toured with Rick Braun and the Jacob Szkeley Trio, and began touring with Engelbert Humberdinck in February 2018. He currently has two projects as a band leader - the Michael Ragonese quintet and FM Project, which is co-lead with Fabian Chavez. Since graduating from CSUN in 2014, Michael has continued to develop his voice as a songwriter. His unique compositions not only portray his skill in jazz, but also his ability to connect with listeners. Michael's music is complex and epic but remains accessible to all.

These recent years of hard work will culminate in the recording of Michael's first album in June of 2018. Michael is thrilled to feature some of his favorite musicians on this album who he believes will work wonders in bringing the music to life. The album will feature long-time friend Shai Golan (saxophone), Anthony Fung (drums), Luca Alemanno (bass), and Walter Smith III (tenor saxophone) and will be available June 1, 2019.

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Album Review

Michael Ragonese: Stracci

Read "Stracci" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


It would probably be a hyperbole to say that young jazz pianists are “a dime a dozen." Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that there are some stellar younger jazz pianists working today, such as Emmet Cohen, Kenny Banks Jr., and Paul Cornish, and that if you are going to play in this league, you must have a style which sets you apart from the rest. Michael Ragonese possibly falls into that category as evidenced by his latest ...

4
Album Review

Michael Ragonese: Stracci

Read "Stracci" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Pianist Michael Ragonese is called Rags, a nickname given to him in childhood that stuck. His sophomore effort is entitled Stracci which means rags in Italian--a more musical sound than its English equivalent. It is a piano trio outing, a top-notch one. Ragonese's musical backstory is a common one. He began in classical studies and after a time felt constrained. He was introduced to jazz via a Bill Evans album--no better place to start--and he switched his focus. ...

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Album Review

Michael Ragonese: Day to Day

Read "Day to Day" reviewed by Paul Naser


If you haven't heard Michael Ragonese's name before, you're sure to hear it a lot more. The award winning pianist is a constant fixture in Los Angeles; if he's not a sideman at one club, he's leading a band at another. Among the many luminaries he has performed or recorded with are: Bennie Maupin, David Binney, Engelbert Humperdinck, Alphonso Johnson and Dave Koz, whose newest album will feature Ragonese. His busy performance schedule hasn't kept him from writing and perfecting ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Stracci

Self Produced
2023

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Day to Day

Self Produced
2019

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Videos

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