Jazz Articles about Michael Pagán

Christopher Burnett: The Standards, Vol. 2 (Live at The Drum Room in Kansas City)

by Kyle Simpler
January 27, 2023

During its heyday, The Drum Room in The Hotel President was one of Kansas City's most popular jazz venues. Performers such as Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, and Benny Goodman all played there. The Drum Room closed during the late seventies but was brought back to life a few years later and, between 2006 and 2007, The Christopher Burnett Quartet performed there on the first Saturday night of each month. That was Burnett's first outing as a bandleader and his tenure ...

Michael Pagan, Bob Bowman, Brian Steever: The Ottawa Sessions

by Luigi Sforza
December 8, 2015

The Ottawa Session è un disco revivalistico, che si ispira chiaramente al bop, è dotato di un marcato senso dello swing e possiede il dono della leggerezza. Il trio responsabile del programma musicale -Michael Pagan al pianoforte, Bob Bowman al contrabbasso e Brian Steever alla batteria -ha il merito di immergere l'ascoltatore in una serie di atmosfere legate, per assonanza, al passato prossimo del jazz. Una lunga sequenza di coincidenze stilistiche -che vanno dal blues al medium ...

Michael Pagan Trio: Three for the Ages

by Edward Blanco
April 28, 2010

Pianist Michael Pagan is known as a prolific composer and arranger for small combos to big bands, and is currently Assistant Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. It is, however, his performance as a musician on Three for the Ages that stands out above his already impressive musical credentials. Adept at recording with big bands, and in a duet and solo formats, as well as small ensembles, Pagan's last trio recording was Tacitus Plus ...

Michael Pagan Big Band: Pag's Groove

by Michael P. Gladstone
November 2, 2005

For his second album on Capri, pianist/composer Michael Pagán leads his big band on eight selections that demonstrate his ability to add texture and harmonization to the arrangements. Other than the Ray Evans/Jay Livingston standard “Never Let Me Go," all of the tunes are originals.

Originally from Ohio and with a degree from Northwestern, Pagán was selected by Downbeat, while still a student, as a “Musician Deserving Wider Recognition." He has taught jazz composition and arranging at the ...

Michael Pagan Big Band: Pag's Groove

by Jack Bowers
October 17, 2005

Big bands dead? Far from it, my friend. In fact, so many spectacular new albums have been released this year that I may have to enlarge my Top Ten list to a Top Twenty. Here's another leading candidate for inclusion on anyone's honor roll, Pag's Groove, composer/arranger/pianist Michael Pagán's highly impressive big band debut on Capri Records, which continues on an upward curve set in motion last year with a trio of superb recordings by the Mark Masters Jazz Ensemble. ...

Michael Pagan Big Band: Pag's Groove

by Dan McClenaghan
September 16, 2005

The saxophones come prowling out, darkly, on “Essential Trivia," the opening track on Pag's Groove. Then the bass and vibes lighten the feeling, and the Michael Pagán Big Band starts the show off swinging. Gorgeous tones prevail, vivid colors splashing all over the charts. Composer/arranger/bandleader Michael Pagán's arrangements use a palette that includes all the colors, bright hues over grey washes, or twining, tapestry style, in and out of the deeper toned threads. It's hard to nail down his influences. ...

Michael Pagan Quintet: Is Waiting for You

by Jack Bowers
November 1, 1998

Not at all what was foreseen, and so much for one’s preconceived notions. Knowing that Cadence Records has a tendency to veer toward the avant–garde, I suspected that this date by pianist Pagán’s quintet might answer to that description. Not so. I’ve checked and double–checked, and you can rest assured that Pagán delivers the whole package — melody, harmony and rhythm — in abundance. Beyond that, he is an eye–opening and ear–catching pianist, technically sound and conspicuously resourceful, who writes ...