ralph pucci (music)

There are no “divisions” of the arts at RALPH PUCCI. What hangs on the walls and what sits on the floor cannot be separated—or appreciated—without the jazz flowing through the air, a full immersion. We recently shared our first playlist (one) on Spotify for you to enjoy anytime, bringing the RALPH PUCCI experience with you.

If (one) is emblematic of the soundtrack that fills our galleries daily, then (two) represents Ralph’s approach to curating a playlist for a specific artist or show. (two) was created for Patrick Naggar’s new collection, REFLECTIONS, and debuted during the opening celebration in November.

We spoke with Ralph about what he considers when creating a playlist and how he captured Patrick Naggar’s design philosophy through music.

“I’ve always found that jazz, especially from the 1950s and ’60s, is consistent with the approach we have to furniture,” says Ralph. “It’s all about elegance, sophistication, and exploration. Though each designer is different, and my playlists reflect that, the themes are always the same: elegance and timelessness.”

For REFLECTIONS, Ralph says, “I felt jazz was appropriate for Patrick, not only because of his sophistication but also because this show is about the exploration of new ideas, a concept he shares with Miles Davis and Lee Morgan who were pioneers in the ‘50s and ‘60s.”

Like jazz legends, Patrick’s cerebral yet intuitive creations encourage one to consider new ideas and technologies, such as carbon fiber and metallic finishes, the ultimate way to ensure timelessness. Though ground-breaking at the time, jazz also honors its musical predecessors, a duality that similarly inspires Patrick: “I love the union of poetry, modernity, art, science and classicism,” he says.

Like a director scoring a film, Ralph approached (two) with the same objective: to create an atmosphere that enhances one’s interactions with the physical elements. Ralph shares, “I wanted to create a soundtrack that matched the rhythm of Patrick’s show and have the playlist flow like a concert– encompassing different styles of music, from upbeat numbers to ballads”.

There are different moments throughout REFLECTIONS, from the breathtaking Apollo bookshelf to the more reflective Carbon Fiber chaise, a piece that requires the viewer to pause to consider its beauty –one moment the color is dark and another it’s a brilliant green depending on the light. “I selected Lee Morgan’s ‘The Sidewinder’ to begin the score with a ‘wow’ – just like Patrick’s incredible entrance to the gallery, which draws you in the moment you enter, followed by the more meditative ‘Ballata In Forma Di Blues’ by Chet Baker and closing with Les McCann’s ‘Compared to What,’ a song that gives immense satisfaction in its perfection, a feeling that lingers after the moment has passed. Just like the finale of a great film.”