Pianist

Michael Raggatt

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About Michael

Michael is Encore's highest rated pianist who is an exceptional performer and can curate a playlist perfect your event.
Pianist
London
Public liability insurance of £5 million
Verified profile

Michael Raggatt is a London-based pianist who performs solo piano in a range of styles suitable for events from weddings to dinners and corporate functions. He is Encore's top ranked pianist and prides himself on the 100% 5 star reviews of his performances. Michael will be sure to guide you through the process of deciding the music you want for your event and always delivers on the day with high-quality musicianship and professionalism. Michael performs at over 140 events each year including as regular resident pianist at the Dorchester Hotel as well as many leading UK wedding venues such as The Lanesborough, Elmore Court, The Londoner Hedsor House and many more and has been featured on TV for Sky Sports & Made in Chelsea. He is more than happy to perform on any venues piano provided it is in working order, or alternatively using his own professional stage keyboard and sound system. As an add-on Michael is also one of only a few UK's pianists who can offer a baby grand piano shell in either black or white to give a fantastic visual appearance whilst also remaining portable. This can be a great option if your ceremony is in a different area to your drinks reception at your wedding. Michael has a wide repertoire of music available that he can tailor to your requirements and is always happy to learn song requests that will make your event special and unique. Get in touch now and he'll get right back to you to answer any questions you might have.

Encore badges
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
Most booked musician of 2021!
Encore expert
Demonstrated expertise by completing the Encore Academy
Member of the Encore community forum
Most booked musician of 2022!
As seen on TV!
Has performed on television
7th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years
100 gigs
Legendary: 100 bookings through Encore!
Musicianship
Genres:
Jazz, Blues, Jazz fusion, Latin jazz, Modern jazz, Postmodern jukebox jazz, Swing, Classical, Film / TV music, Easy listening, Light music, Pop, Acoustic, Ambient pop, Covers, Vintage, Top 40, Rock, Christmas, 1920s era music, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1990s era music, Pop rock
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types
Other skills:
Producer, Accompanist
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Michael's Song list

Classical :-
Ambre - Nils Frahm
Andante - Mozart
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba - Handel
Ave Maria - Schubert
Ave Verum - Mozart
Canon in D - Pachelbel
Cinema Paradiso - Ennio Morricone
Clair De Lune - Debussy
Dance Of The Hours - Ponchielli
Dawn - Mario Marianelli
Deux Arabesques - Debussy
Fly - Einaudi
Grand Valse - Delibes
Gymnopedie - Satie
Love Theme - Ennio Morricone
I Giorni - Einaudi
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Bach
La Fille Aux Cheveux de Lin - Debussy
Maestro - Hans Zimmer
Mariage D'Amour - Senneville
Minuet in G - Beethoven
Moment Musicaux - Schubert
Nocturne No.1 - Chopin
Nuvole Bianche - Einaudi
Odeon - Ernesto Nazareth
Onset - Giles Lamb
Prelude in C - Bach
Preludes - Chopin
River Flows In You - Yiruma
Salut D'Amour- Elgar
Sheep May Safely Graze - Bach
To A Wild Rose - MacDowell
Waltz in A - Brahms
Wedding March - Mendehlsson
Jazz :-
All Of Me - Gerald Marks
At Last - Etta James
Autumn Leaves - Jerome Kern
Beyond The Sea - Albert Lasry
Blue Skies - Irving Berlin
Cheek to Cheek - Irving Berlin
Come Fly With Me - Frank Sinatra
Dos Gardenias - Buena Vista Social Club
Everything - Michael Buble
Feeling Good - Michael Buble
Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra
Girl From Ipanema - Jobim
Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen
I Thought About You - Jimmy Van Heusen
In A Sentimental Mood - Ellington
Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
Let There Be Love - Nat King Cole
L.O.V.E - Frank Sinatra
Misty - Erroll Garner
Moondance - Van Morrison
My Favourite Things - Rodgers
Nature Boy - Eden Ahbez
Nearness Of You - Norah Jones
Take Five - Dave Brubeck
The Way You Look Tonight - Jerome Kern
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Pop :-
A Million Dreams - Greatest Showman
A Sky Full Of Stars - Coldplay
A Thousand Years - Christina Perri
Ain't Nobody - Chaka Khan
Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers
All Of Me - John Legend
Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Bob Crewe
Can You Feel The Love Tonight - Elton John
City Of Stars - La La Land
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
Empire State Of Mind - Alicia Keys
Everything She Does Is Magic - Sting
Glasgow Love Theme - Craig Armstrong
Greatest Day - Take That
Grow Old With Me - Tom Odell
Hello - Adele
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen
Heartbeats - Jose Gonzalez
Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
Hoppipolla - Sigur Ros
I Do, I Do, I Do - ABBA
I Get To Love You - Ruelle
If I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys
Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
Just The Two Of Us - Bill Withers
Latch - Sam Smith
Layla - Eric Clapton
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
Lovely Day - Bill Withers
Marry You - Bruno Mars
Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin
New York State Of Mind - Billy Joel
No Scrubs - TLC
Ordinary People - John Legend
Perfect - Ed Sheeran
Piano Man - Billy Joel
Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey-Rae
Rather Be - Clean Bandit
Read All About It - Emeli Sande
Save Room - John Legend
Save Tonight - Eagle Eyed Cherry
Shallow - Lady Gaga
She's Always A Woman - Billy Joel
Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
Shiver - Coldplay
Somewhere Only We Know - Lily Allen
Songbird - Eva Cassidy
Sweet Love - Anita Baker
Symphony - Clean Bandit
Take Me To Church - Hozier
The Book Of Love - Peter Gabriel
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
Tiny Dancer - Elton John
Titanium - Rihanna
This Is Me - Greatest Showman
Toxic - Britney Spears
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
Yesterday - The Beatles
You Are The Reason - Calum Scott
You've Got A Friend - Carole King
You've Got A Friend In Me - Randy Newman
Your Song - Elton John
Christmas:-
All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
Baby, It's Cold Outside - Frank Loesser
Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea
First Noel - Trad.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Trad.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Trad.
Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simeone
Let It Snow - Cahn-Style
Once In Royal David's City - Trad.
Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Eddie Pola
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Johnny Marks
Santa Baby - Phil Springer
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Coots
Silent Night - John Rutter
The Christmas Song - Mel Torme
White Christmas - Irving Berlin
Winter Wonderland - Felix Bernard
Plus many more! Always happy to take requests as well if you're looking for something specific.
Customer questions

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I always try our best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let us know.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

I am happy to provide music through my PA system between sets provided you have gone with the keyboard option if the venue doesn't have a working piano. The playlist can either be one I have already or one of your own if you can provide a device with standard headphone connection.

How much time do you need to set up?

If there is a piano already at the venue then setup time is just 20 minutes. If I'm bringing along my keyboard then 45 minutes will suffice.

If I have a piano at my venue, are you happy to perform on that?

Yes of course! (Provided it is in working order and in tune)

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

I'm more than happy to discuss set list choices with you. My repertoire covers a variety of genres so just let me know the music that you love and I can offer my experience with suggestions as to what works well too.

Are you able to bring your own piano or keyboard?

Yes, not a problem! I have a high quality professional keyboard that creates a great, authentic piano sound. Also available is my piano shell setup which only a few pianists have. This creates the look of a grand piano but sits an electronic keyboard inside. This opens up the possibilities where the piano can be placed in a venue.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

Yes! I'm happy to learn a song or two for you for your event. I'm often requested particular songs for wedding ceremonies or special events. It's always nice for me to discover new music and expand my repertoire too!

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Clients love the wide choice of repertoire I have available as often different styles will suit different sorts of occasions. I'm always happy to offer my own suggestions as well as over the years I have the experience to suggest what will usually work best.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

A selection of some of the many wonderful venues I have been fortunate enough to perform at: Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club NED Hotel Hilton Waldorf Hotel House of Commons White City House Pizza Express, Dubai Green Room Jazz Club, Dubai Berkeley Castle Hampton Court House V&A Museum Landmark Hotel Brampton House 10 Castle Street Coombe Lodge Elmore Court

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Claude Debussy, Jamie Cullum, Chet Baker, Keith Jarrett, Chopin

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium Performed on TV show 'Made in Chelsea' New Year's Eve on Dubai's Palm Island. Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London.

Michael's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£225
Up to 1 hour£370
Up to 2 hours£440
Up to 3 hours£550
Packages
Wedding ceremony
This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£295
Drinks reception
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception
£325
Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner
- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.
£495

Add-ons

Baby Grand Piano Shell
+£120
Michael
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5 out of 5
51 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Michael's Reviews

From Encore customers:

PH
Paul H
29 days ago
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5 out of 5

Michael was an amazing addition to our wedding day. He performed perfectly and was so helpful in preparing for our big day!

ID
Irene D
1 month ago
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5 out of 5

Michael was just so brilliant! He was so good at communicating before the event. He is so talented and his repertoire is vast and varied. He also had the instinct to judge the people and the room (and the drinks consumed!) and play music to suit the vibe as it got more party like! He made my mum's birthday so magical and we got so many compliments about him from our guests! I will definitely book him again for anything we organise!

DH
Dylan H
2 months ago
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5 out of 5

Michael was amazing. From first booking all the way until the wedding day, he was always available via a message, and he even made the time for a video call. His performance was faultless and he actually learned a totally new song for my wedding. If you are looking for a pianist for your wedding or any special occasion, Michael is your man without a doubt.

BC
Beth C
2 months ago
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5 out of 5

Michael was absolutely incredible from start to finish. He responded to messages in quick time but the real magic is his talent on the piano. Michael was absolutely incredible throughout our drinks reception and ceremony, it was the perfect addition for our guests to enjoy during dinner. Michael your talent is undeniable and I am SO happy I booked you. Thank you so much for making our special day just fantastic. I’ll make sure you’re at any other events I have moving forward.

Read all 47 reviews

From other customers:

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Jessica A
2 years ago, for a Wedding in Braintree CM7 5PL
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5 out of 5

Thank you so much for yesterday! Your beautiful music was amazing and made the ceremony and wedding breakfast extra special! We have had so many people leave compliments for you already. I loved every second of your beautiful music and didn’t want it to end. Such a perfect day and couldn’t of gone any better!

RP
Rhiannon P
2 years ago, for a Wedding in Ingatestone
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5 out of 5

I'd just like to reach out to say thank you so much for your services as a pianist at our wedding ceremony on 14th June. Both the sessions in the lobby area and during the ceremony itself when playing the backing for the hymns were absolutely fantastic, and added a great atmosphere and ambience to the whole event!

Read all 16 reviews