Stracci
Released August 2023
On STRACCI (stra-chi), pianist, composer, and arranger Michael Ragonese pays tribute to his Italian-American heritage with six original tracks and two jazz standards performed in a trio setting. STRACCI is the sophomore outing for Ragonese and follows Day to Day (2019). A much sought-after accompanist, he has toured, performed, and recorded with some of the most notable names in the music industry.
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“A fine piano trio outing. Stracci reveals not so much an Evans influence as it does, compositionally, a Brad Mehldau one. Ragonese wrote six of the eight tunes presented here, and they all have beguiling prettiness combined with an assertive rhythmic insistence.”
All About Jazz by Dan McClenaghan
“The ingenious pianist and composer Michael Ragonese embarks on an audacious set of fervent jazz trio pieces on his second album, "Stracci" (pronounced stra-chi). On this mesmerizing collection, Ragonese pays homage to his Italian American roots through a riveting collection of six original compositions and two revered jazz standards, all elegantly
woven together in an enchanting trio setting. Without any doubt, Michael Ragonese's "Stracci" is an exhilarating contribution to the ever-evolving jazz piano trio legacy.”
Mediaversal by Wesley Derbeyshire
“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 falls into that category as evidenced by his latest release "Stracci." Ragonese and his cohorts confirm that they are assured partners in a propulsive and unpredictable trio.”
All About Jazz by Pierre Giroux
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