ABOUT MICHAEL RAGONESE
Michael Ragonese, a highly accomplished jazz pianist based in Los Angeles, has been immersed in music for over 25 years. Born and raised in Los Angeles, his musical journey began with classical piano and shifted towards jazz during his high school years. This pivotal transition inspired him to pursue a degree in jazz piano at California State University, Northridge. At CSUN, Ragonese earned numerous accolades, including first-place awards at the prestigious Reno and Monterey Jazz Festivals, and was recognized as an outstanding soloist.
After graduating, Ragonese’s career soared as he became a sought-after musician, performing, touring, and recording with industry legends such as Barbra Streisand, Charnett Moffett, Bennie Maupin, Mark Turner, Walter Smith III, Dave Koz, Norman Brown, Rick Braun, Alphonso Johnson, John Daversa, Tierney Sutton, Stanley Jordan, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, Shoshana Bean, Sue Raney, Dave Binney, Bob Sheppard, and many others.
In 2019, Ragonese debuted as a bandleader with the release of Day to Day, featuring Walter Smith III. He followed this with his second album, Stracci, in August 2023, a project that honors his Italian heritage and classical piano roots. Since then, he has released five singles in 2024 and is preparing for his third album, recorded in January 2025. This upcoming release marks another collaboration with Walter Smith III, alongside JK Kim and Luca Alemanno, continuing the evolution of Ragonese’s quartet.
Beyond his vibrant recording career, Ragonese has performed at premier jazz clubs across the United States, delivered masterclasses at universities, and is planning a U.S. and European tour for 2025.
A passionate educator, Ragonese founded the Rags School of Music in 2021. In 2023, he collaborated with Alex Hahn to launch the "Modern Artist" program, designed to help high school students explore their artistry and prepare for careers in music. In 2025, Ragonese will expand his educational initiatives by partnering with the renowned jazz venue Libretto in Paso Robles, CA, to establish the "Libretto Conservatory." This program, under the Rags School of Music, will mentor aspiring high school and college musicians as they pursue professional careers.
