Michael Ragonese Trio | Chasing Calm Album Release

($20-$30 + DICE fees | 4:30pm matinee) Michael Ragonese, a highly accomplished jazz pianist and composer based in Los Angeles, has been immersed in music for over 25 years. Born and raised in LA, his musical journey began with classical piano and later evolved into a deep passion for jazz during his high school years. This pivotal shift led him to pursue a degree in jazz piano at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where he earned top honors at festivals like Reno and Monterey and was recognized as an outstanding soloist.

Ragonese has become one of the most sought-after young pianists of his generation, performing, touring, and recording with legends such as Barbra Streisand, Walter Smith III, Ben Wendel, Mark Turner, Charnett Moffett, Bennie Maupin, Dave Koz, Rick Braun, Norman Brown, Alphonso Johnson, John Daversa, Tierney Sutton, Stanley Jordan, Engelbert Humperdinck, Sue Raney, Tom Jones, Shoshana Bean, Dave Binney, Bob Sheppard, and more.

Ragonese made his debut as a leader in 2019 with the release of Day to Day, featuring Walter Smith III. His second album, Stracci, arrived in 2023, honoring his Italian heritage and classical background. His third album as a leader, Chasing Calm, was releaased on October 10, 2025. The record showcases his quartet featuring Walter Smith III, JK Kim, and Luca Alemanno and represents his most personal and reflective work yet, blending modern jazz, classical textures, and complex rhythmic ideas.

For this matinee find Michael paired with locals Colin McIlrath and Arthur Vint.