Ralph Towner

American musician (1940–2026)

Born: 1 March 1940
Chehalis
Died: 18 January 2026
Rome
Country: United States
Active: 1960–2026
Record labels: ECM Records, E-Motive Records
Discography: 24 albums

Biography

Ralph Towner was a jazz musician who played piano and guitar. Ralph Towner was born on 1 March 1940 in Chehalis and died on 18 January 2026 in Rome. The music is usually filed under jazz. Record labels: ECM Records and E-Motive Records. The discography here lists 24 albums, from “Diary” (1973) to “At First Light” (2023).

Ralph Towner (March 1, 1940 – January 18, 2026) was an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He played the twelve-string guitar, classical guitar, electric FRAME guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion, trumpet, and French horn.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Diary 1973 · ECM Records

Solo - Sendesaal, Bremen 1973 · Live

Trios / Solos 1973 · ECM Records Matchbook 1974 · ECM Records Solstice 1974 · ECM Records Solstice, Sound and Shadows 1977 · ECM Records Batik 1978 · ECM Records Old Friends, New Friends 1979 · ECM Records

Départ 1980

Solo Concert 1980 · Live · ECM Records Blue Sun 1982 · ECM Records Slide Show 1986 · ECM Records City of Eyes 1989 · ECM Records Open Letter 1992 · ECM Records Lost and Found 1995 · ECM Records Ana 1997 · ECM Records A Closer View 1998 · ECM Records Anthem 2001 · ECM Records Time Line 2006 · ECM Records Chiaroscuro 2008 · ECM Records Travel Guide 2013 · ECM Records My Foolish Heart 2017 · ECM Records Music for Solo Guitar 2021 · Brilliant Classics At First Light 2023 · ECM Records

Also plays on

Albums where Ralph Towner is credited as a sideman

1972	I Sing the Body Electric — Weather Report	12 string guitar
1975	The Restful Mind — Larry Coryell	guitar
1976	Sargasso Sea — John Abercrombie & Ralph Towner	guitar
1977	Dis — Jan Garbarek	guitar, acoustic guitar, aeolian harp
1978	Deer Wan — Kenny Wheeler	12 string guitar
1982	Five Years Later — John Abercrombie & Ralph Towner	guitar
1983	Oregon — Oregon	synthesizer, piano, classical guitar, 12 string guitar
1988	Usfret — Trilok Gurtu	acoustic guitar, keyboard
1994	Oracle — Gary Peacock / Ralph Towner	12 string guitar, classical guitar
1996	Collection — Gary Burton	čelo
1997	If Summer Had Its Ghosts — Bill Bruford & Ralph Towner & Eddie Gomez	classical guitar, guitar, keyboard, piano
2005	Helium Tears — Charlie Haden \| Ralph Towner \| Jerry Granelli \| Robben Ford	synthesizer