Ragan Whiteside

Ragan began her musical journey at the very early age of 5. She played the piano, drums, and the violin, but found her true love in playing the flute. From there she went on to study classical music.

Ragan’s passion for music lead her to realize another new love: Songwriting and Arranging. After winning numerous competitions in both performance and music composition she decided to further her music studies and attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Harid Conservatory, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Performance degree.

After graduating, Ragan returned to New York to begin her career as a professional musician and immersed her composition abilities within the genres of Jazz, Funk, and R&B. After winning the Capital Jazz New Artist Competition, she released her debut album, Class Axe in 2007. Since her debut album, this award winning artist has developed a heightened focus in the writing, producing, and editing process of her 2012 sophomore release, Evolve. Evolve showcases not only her melodious musicianship as a flutist, but her sultry vocals and soulful compositions. Under the direction of her highly acclaimed producers/arrangers, Dennis Johnson and Bob Baldwin, Ragan showcases her high energy and expansive musical abilities. Taking her refreshing and vibrant flute sounds to newer heights, Ragan collaborated with an array of veteran contemporary jazz artists, including Chieli Minucci, Marion Meadows, Bob Baldwin, Porter Carroll Jr. (original member of Atlantic Starr) and Chembo Corniel (Latin Jazz Grammy nominee).

2014 has been an exciting year for Ragan, having won Flutist of the Year in the Black Women in Jazz & Fine Arts Awards, and looking forward to the highly anticipated release of her 3rd studio album, Quantum Drive. This album pushes the boundaries of Contemporary/Urban Jazz and R&B even further and features collaborations with Bob Baldwin, Frank McComb, Althea Rene, and Patrice Rushen.

Bob Baldwin describes Ragan by saying, “She not only has THE silkiest and sweetest flute tone in the business, but her tenacity and desire to be recognized in Urban, New-Soul AND smooth jazz genres makes her a musical force to be reckoned with!! Mark my words!”

Awards

2014 Flutist of the Year in the Black Women in Jazz & Fine Arts Awards
2006 Capital Jazz Challenge Winner

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