Ralph Towner
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Ralph Towner is an American acoustic guitarist. He also plays piano, synthesizer, and trumpet.
Born in 1940 in Chehalis, Washington, Towner is one of the most diversely talented musicians of the past half-century, and has made notable recordings of jazz, classical music, folk music, and world music. In college Towner first majored in music composition at the University of Oregon. At that time his instruments were jazz piano and trumpet. He quickly became interested in classical guitar and moved to Vienna, Austria to study with Karl Scheit. After one year with Scheit he returned to the U.S.and began playing gigs around New York City. Towner joined world music pioneer Paul Winter’s “Consort” ensemble in the late 1960s. Along with bandmates Paul McCandless, Glen Moore, and Collin Walcott, Towner left the Winter Consort in 1970 to form the group Oregon, which over the course of the 1970s issued a number of highly influential records mixing folk music, Indian classical forms, and avant-garde jazz-influenced free improvisation. At the same time, Towner began a longstanding relationship with the influential ECM record label, which has released virtually all of his non-Oregon recordings since his 1972 debut as a leader Trios/Solos. Towner has also made numerous appearances as a sideman, perhaps most famously on jazz fusion heavyweights Weather Report’s 1972 album I Sing the Body Electric within which he played a 12-string guitar.
Born in 1940 in Chehalis, Washington, Towner is one of the most diversely talented musicians of the past half-century, and has made notable recordings of jazz, classical music, folk music, and world music. In college Towner first majored in music composition at the University of Oregon. At that time his instruments were jazz piano and trumpet. He quickly became interested in classical guitar and moved to Vienna, Austria to study with Karl Scheit. After one year with Scheit he returned to the U.S.and began playing gigs around New York City. Towner joined world music pioneer Paul Winter’s “Consort” ensemble in the late 1960s. Along with bandmates Paul McCandless, Glen Moore, and Collin Walcott, Towner left the Winter Consort in 1970 to form the group Oregon, which over the course of the 1970s issued a number of highly influential records mixing folk music, Indian classical forms, and avant-garde jazz-influenced free improvisation. At the same time, Towner began a longstanding relationship with the influential ECM record label, which has released virtually all of his non-Oregon recordings since his 1972 debut as a leader Trios/Solos. Towner has also made numerous appearances as a sideman, perhaps most famously on jazz fusion heavyweights Weather Report’s 1972 album I Sing the Body Electric within which he played a 12-string guitar.
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Anthem
Ralph Towner
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Time Line
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Ana
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Shoutbox
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Destinee695 wrote:
♥Anthem
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ajstein64 wrote:
glad to see so many others are aware of towner's brilliant music. a "lost album" of his that i'd recommend is named "if summer had its ghosts" (bill bruford, eddie gomez, released as a bruford title)
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DegreeX wrote:
Ralph Towner has created some of the most diverse and interesting music ever. His technique is flawless as well. It's a shame hes not very well known.
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HeikeMatthiesen wrote:
It was wonderful to meet you, you played a phantastic concert at the Oberhausen guitar festiavl!! hope to see you again somewhen somwhere..
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psyclonought wrote:
very heartfelt and moving,ihad to the volume down as i could have started crying it really sings out and is great to explore some of these options all the best to fellow travellers
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szmataarmata wrote:
Hey! If you are fan o Weather Report (with Jaco or without him) join my group - http://www.lastfm.pl/group/Weather+Report
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samueljeronimo wrote:
Listen to these guys: Trape-Zape.
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mambrui wrote:
this colourful sound inspires phantasy and relaxes soul as well .... absolutely perfect *****
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tergan wrote:
heard on Peripheral Music tag radio: Cluster & Brian Eno > Fonica > Jopy > Eberhard Weber > My Fun > Vanessa Rosetto > The Nels Cline Singers > El Heath > Tape > Alog > Fred Frith > Engine7 > Clogs > Raumwerk > brunk > Ralph Towner > Oregon > Leafcutter John > Hauschka > Albert Ayler > Supersilent > Tom Zé… if that mix of music appeals to you, come join us in the Peripheral Music group.
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donKamillo wrote:
Pianist, guitarist - thank You Last.fm for helping me discover this guy! Listen to the tag radios people!!
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bainer wrote:
incredible talent, sublime technique. i can't say enough about him as a composer and musician.
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kimathim wrote:
One of the world's most innovative and a true genius in today's contemporary music.
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riven213 wrote:
A wonderful and original guitarist
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Recent Activity
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fourducks, dkjcmay1, scotch_mosh and 18 other people added Ralph Towner to their libraries. Friday morning
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deviria tagged Ralph Towner with jazz, acoustic and guitar. last month
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genole and craigdfw added Ralph Towner to their libraries. December 2011
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CINSE7EN tagged Ralph Towner with jazz and ecm. December 2011
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Alex76Doctors, bascdfj, docsholiday and 5 other people added Ralph Towner to their libraries. December 2011
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guitarcinema updated the wiki page for Ralph Towner. (diff) December 2011
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charangoalsur, TheUnchecked and 7 other people added Ralph Towner to their libraries. December 2011
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k_henning tagged Ralph Towner with ‘jazz guitar’. November 2011
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k_henning, skatergitarist, pu7eversun and 9 other people added Ralph Towner to their libraries. November 2011
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anjuks, bluemobb, fpetretti and 1 other person added Ralph Towner to their libraries. November 2011
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Groups (14)
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ECM Records
1,166 members
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ECM
634 members
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Jazz Loft
563 members
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Jazz Guitar Greats
551 members
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Travelers
415 members
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