Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Michael Ragonese: Stracci

Michael Ragonese: Stracci

By Pierre Giroux
August 24, 2023
View read count

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

piano
b.1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Emmet Cohen,

Kenny Banks Jr

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Banks Jr, and

Paul Cornish

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">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

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Ragonese possibly falls into that category as evidenced by his latest release "Stracci."

Born in Los Angeles of Italian heritage, Ragonese began playing piano at the age of six, studying classical music for nearly ten years, after which his mother rounded out his early musical education by teaching him Pop and R&B. His formal education continued at Cal State Northridge from which he graduated in 2014 with a degree in jazz studies. Following a period of performing, touring and recording with many notable names in the music industry, Ragonese moved to define his career with this trio recording, accompanied by two outstanding players, drummer

Mark Ferber

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Ferber and bassist

Luca Alemanno

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Luca Alemanno.

The opener is "Solar," originally conceived by guitarist

Chuck Wayne

banjo
b.1923

" data-original-title="" title="">Chuck Wayne, but in 1963 copywritten by

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis with some minor changes. Ragonese and the trio give the line a roguish and jagged reading with propulsive single-note playing. The next track is a Ragonese original, "Escape," which begins with a classical intro. As the pianist develops the number, it has an understated self-assurance with a silvery flow of ideas. The number closes with a chord vamp which features a high-energy solo from drummer Ferber.

The centrepiece of this session is "Tides Of Tomorrow Pts.1&2" which Ragonese considers to be a suite since he always plays them together at his live performances. The two compositions are filled with abundant proficiencies showing an aesthetic for gleaming calm. Pt.1 has fugue-like passages with a strong counterpoint between Ragonese's single-note excursions and Alemanno's deeply authoritative bass playing. Pt.2 has a languorous tempo, yet is quietly impressive.

The other non-original in the outing is the Sammy Fain & Irving Kahal popular song "I'll Be Seeing You" of which Ragonese says "This is my favourite standard." Taking it at a sprightly tempo, Ragonese and his cohorts confirm that they are assured partners in a propulsive and unpredictable trio.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Solar; Escape; In Attesa; Ties Of Tomorrow Pt.1; Tides Of Tomorrow Pt.2; La Pioggia; I'll Be Seeing You; Copycat.

Personnel

Michael Ragonese

piano

Luca Alemanno

bass

Mark Ferber

drums

Album information

Title: Stracci | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Dave Holland Circa 1976
< Previous

Diatom Ribbons Live At The Village V...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.