Remembering Ralph Towner

March 1, 1940 – January 18, 2026

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Guitarist Ralph Towner passed away on Jan. 18, 2026 at the age of 85.

He was born on March 1, 1940 in Chehalis, Washington where his mother taught piano and father played trumpet.

Towner started playing piano when he was three and early on also played trumpet and French horn, studying classical piano at the University of Oregon (1958-63).

He was already 22 before he started studying classical guitar during a period when he was also playing jazz piano at night, inspired by Bill Evans and Brazilian music.

Towner made his first recording on a few selections for a Duke Pearson album in 1969 but more important was his association with the Winter Consort, a folk/World Music jazz group led by altoist Paul Winter during 1970-72.

By 1972 Towner, along with three other members of the Winter Consort (Paul McCandless on oboe, English horn and soprano, bassist Glen Moore, and percussionist Collin Wallott) had broken away to form Oregon, a unique group that lasted for 40 years and recorded regularly.

The guitarist, who guested on Weather Report’s I Sing The Body Electric (1972), also recorded extensively for the ECM label including as a leader (often as an unaccompanied soloist) and with such notables as Jan Garbarek, Gary Burton, John Abercrombie, Kenny Wheeler, Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, and Egberto Gismonti among others.

Towner’s thoughtful acoustic guitar playing always stood alone apart from musical trends and fit into its own personal category.

He lived from the 1990s on in Europe, settling in Italy and staying musically active until near the end of his life.

Ralph Towner is featured in 2013 playing solo guitar on his “Father Time.”

-Scott Yanow

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