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Ralph Towner

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Ralph Towner's latest album is My Foolish Heart, named for the Bill Evans tune that changed the way he looked at composition and his instrument. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jazz

Ralph Towner: An Old Hand With A 'Foolish Heart' (And An Unmatched Style)

April 22, 2017 • The guitarist who composed "Icarus" — a tune so popular, astronauts took it to the moon — has a way of playing that seems to conjure melody, rhythm and harmony all at once.

Ralph Towner: An Old Hand With A 'Foolish Heart' (And An Unmatched Style)

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Music Lists

A Wintry Mix Without The Mistletoe

December 22, 2008 • Winter, more than any other season, has its own soundtrack: There's a nonstop loop of holiday tunes in every store you visit, and carolers in the town square. By the time late December rolls around, many people have had it. Author Tom Moon offers an alternative list of winter music.

A Wintry Mix Without The Mistletoe

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Studio Sessions

The Worlds of Ralph Towner

July 28, 2006 • Veteran guitarist Ralph Towner has a unique style of playing, and his compositions are inspired by a wide array of influences, from Bach to Brazil and jazz. Towner plays an original piece, "Anniversary Song," followed by his own arrangement of George Gershwin's "My Man's Gone Now."

The Worlds of Ralph Towner

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In Performance

Ralph Towner's Guitar Journey

May 7, 2006 • Musician Ralph Towner performs in NPR's Studio 4A. His career spans more than 30 years, from the Paul Winter Consort to the group Oregon. Today he remains a prolific solo artist on the acoustic guitar, with a new CD: Time Line.

Ralph Towner's Guitar Journey

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All Songs Considered

September 11, 2001

September 11, 2001 • As NPR covered the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington DC, it was music that gave listeners time to reflect, to digest the events and the impact.

September 11, 2001

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