About Ric'key Pageot

Montreal-born pianist, accordionist, producer, composer and music director, Ric’key Pageot comes from a musical family of Haitian descent. As a child he studied in the sought-after professional arts music program, Pierre-Laporte School in Montreal, studying classical piano, and taking advanced courses in music theory, history and ear training. During his time there, he performed as a recitalist and chamber musician, and as a chorister, performing in concert with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, led by Charles Dutoit, at the renowned Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at La Place Des Arts.

In 2002, Ric’key was hired to be part of the original cast of “Motown Generation,” the most successful Motown Music Review ever produced in Canada. In the following years he toured France with recording artist, Corneille, whose album ‘Parce qu’on Vient de Loin’ was certified double platinum in France and platinum in Canada. In 2005, Ric’key began to work with Cirque Du Soleil as a musical director, keyboardist and accordionist for the show “Delirium;” he was the youngest MD ever hired by the Quebec company. After the Delirium premier in Montreal, Pageot gave close to 200 performances in the U.S. alone. Billboard Magazine certified ‘Delirium’ as the 6th biggest grossing tour in North America in 2006.

After more than two years of touring the US and Europe with Delirium, Ric’key left the show and moved to Los Angeles with his wife and singer/songwriter Dessy Di Lauro. It was shortly after that move that Pageot got a call to go on tour with Madonna for her “Hard Candy” promo tour and “Sticky & Sweet” world tour. For these tours he was called on to play keyboards, piano and accordion. Since, Pageot has toured with Madonna on four world tours: Sticky & Sweet (2008-09); MDNA (2012); Rebel Heart (2015) and Madame X (2019-20). Pageot was recently sent by Madonna to the Steinway & Sons factory in Astoria, NY to pick a Steinway Model B grand piano for the Madame X tour. 

When he is not touring with Madonna, Pageot is leading his band Parlor Social with Dessy Di Lauro. Together they have designed a new and unique genre of original music they call Speakeasy-soul/Prohibition Funk, which seamlessly blends the styles of 1920-30’s Harlem renaissance jazz with today's contemporary urban sounds. In 2013, they released their debut album 'This Is Neo-Ragtime' to critics' acclaim. Their single, Jump N’ Jivin was featured throughout the 2015 ESPN TV broadcast of the NCAA women’s Final Four.

Parlor Social has performed notably at the Montreal International Jazz Festival; Blue Note Jazz Festival, Charlotte Jazz festival, the inaugural Dymally Jazz festival in Carson, CA and in 2018, Parlor Social performed their biggest show thus far at the fabulous Hollywood Bowl for the 40th annual Playboy Jazz Festival. In 2019 they went on their first headlining tour ‘Not Giving Up On You’ with cross-continental stops in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Paris, and London.

Pageot has written and recorded with Earth Wind & Fire, Jill Scott, and up and coming R&B sensation Justin Parks. He has also toured with major music icons such as Diana Ross, Cher, and the late Dr. John.

About Classic Black

Steinway artist Ric'key Pagoet partnered with Crewest Studio to create Classic Black as a new educational platform designed to celebrate black excellence in classical music from yesterday and today.

Classic Black comprises live performances and educational talks. Ric'key uses the power of his world-class musical talent and his compelling human story to celebrate and honor great black composers in classical music such as Joseph Boulogne (aka Chevalier de St. Georges), George Bridgetower, Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Florence B Price, William Grant Still and George Walker.

Classic Black is powered by Arterial, a 501c3 non-profit arts organization. If you would like to support this important music education program by making a tax-deductible donation

If you would like Ric'key to come speak and perform at your school, organization or community, please email us today for details.