Michael Ragonese Trio: Recollections

The Michael Ragonese trio returns in concert for a very special show featuring Gary Pratt, an award winning bassist/educator and Andres Salazar, drummer, who has performed with Gerald Clayton, Billy Childs and many more. Michael is excited to perform again with his very first trio going back more than 10 years. This trio grew together through the years and developed fresh ideas performing great American songbook standards highly influenced by the Keith Jarret and Brad Mehldau trio. This show will feature a selection of songs from the Great American Songbook and Michael’s original compositions. Join us for a very special night.

Michael Ragonese is a Los Angeles based pianist, composer, and educator. He received his Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies at California State University Northridge in 2014. Michael has performed, recorded and toured internationally with artists such as Bennie Maupin, Charnett Moffett, Alphonso Johnson, Sue Raney, John Daversa, Louise Cole, Gary Pratt, Walter Smith III, David Binney, Bob Reynolds, Bob Sheppard, Rick Braun, Dave Koz, Engelbert Humperdinck, Aubrey Logan and Grace Kelly. Michael released his debut album in 2019 entitled “Day to Day” to rave reviews. The album was produced by esteemed pianist Josh Nelson.

Gary Pratt has led a distinguished career as a music educator, performer, conductor, adjudicator and arranger, and is an Emeritus Professor of Music at California State University, Northridge, where he served as chairman of the CSU Northridge Wind Area, Director of Orchestras, and Director of Jazz Studies. His guest conducting engagements have included performances in both Europe and Japan, and his noted versatility as a music educator has made him a highly sought after clinician and guest conductor of jazz ensembles, orchestras and concert bands. Throughout his career as a professional Jazz Bassist, Mr. Pratt has performed and/or recorded with such legendary jazz artists as Louie Bellson, Lionel Hampton, Snooky Young, Conti Candoli, Pearl Bailey, Bobby Shew, Don Menza, Blue Mitchell, Pete Christlieb, Cat Anderson, Bob Florence, Kim Richmond, Billy Mintz, Gary Fukushima, Sandra Booker, Clay Jenkins, Rob Lockart, and many others. Mr. Pratt has been awarded the California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Jazz Educator Award (2015), and is a recent inductee into the California Alliance for Jazz (CAJ) Hall of Fame (2018).

Andrés Salazar is a Sacramento based Percussionist and Music Educator. As a performer Andrés has had the privilege of sharing the stage with musicians such as David Binney, Gerald Clayton, Eric Revis, Billy Childs, Walter Smith III, Gary Pratt and others. Performances vary in genres from Jazz, Cumbia, and Nortena to name a few. In addition to performing, Andrés is also highly committed to education for youth and is currently the Violin and Strings music teacher for various elementary schools within the Woodland Joint Unified School District.

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