Ralph Towner, Visionary Guitarist, Passes Away

The longtime ECM artist and Oregon member was 85

January 19, 2026January 19, 2026 Ron Hart 0 Comments Al Di Meola, ECM Records, Oregon, Ralph Towner, RIP

Guitar great Ralph Towner passed away on Sunday, Jan. 18, at the age of 85, according to the news confirmed by his daughter Celeste Towner.

Since emerging from the New York jazz scene in the late 1960s, the Washington-born Towner quickly exemplified his mastery of both 6- and 12-string acoustic guitar playing even though he first rose to prominence as a pianist.

But it was his longtime tenure at ECM Records, coupled with his involvement in the world-fusion ensemble Oregon, that captured the imaginations of music fans with his comforting-yet-challeging approach to jazz.

“There’s something about having the freedom to basically direct the music yourself,” Towner told Jazz Times in 2017. “Guitar is such a good solo instrument; there’s a sense of playing an ensemble kind of music, but on your own. You certainly have a different role. With others, it’s several people playing a single piece of music.

“In jazz, they’re all composing as they’re playing, even if there’s a pre-organized tune that you’re playing on or a completely freeform piece; it’s still composition. When you’re on your own, basically you’re the only composer.”

“Ralph Towner was my hero — both as a solo artist and as part of his group Oregon, who were true luminaries,” wrote fellow jazz guitar legend Al Di Meola on Facebook shortly after the news broke. “Ralph’s three-dimensional abilities as an aesthetic guitar player and pianist were of the highest degree. What made him stand out was the depth of his writing and the improvisations within.

VIDEO: Oregon “Icarus”

“His compositions were deep, heartfelt, and inspiring to me going back to my Berklee days, and his impact on my playing and writing in particular is largely credited to that inspiration. I had always said — half in jest — that someday when I grow up I want to be like Ralph, knowing well that would remain a dream.

“I thought of and was inspired by his wonderful group OREGON when I formed WORLD SINFONIA 20 or so years ago.

“RIP Ralph, and deep thanks for all you’ve created.”

Longtime Sting guitarist Dominic Miller also paid tribute to Towner on his socials.

“Rest in peace, Ralph Towner, a real inspiration to me,” he wrote. “An incredibly original and creative guitarist and composer. We lost a really special musician.”

Towner moved to Italy in the early ’90s, settling in Palermo before making Rome his permanent residence. And it was in Rome where he passed away, leaving behind a nylon string legacy that is one of the greatest deep dives into acoustic guitar jazz you’ll have the privilege to discover if you haven’t already. This is healing music for both the head and the heart.

Please check out a playlist of some of our favorites through the years below.