That gig was the last time I heard Michael DiPasqua play. By the mid-80s, he had pretty much quit music, to take over a family empire of 300 + sandwich shops in his (and my) native Florida. Subway's gain, music's loss. He did re-emerge in 2000 for long enough to record on an Eberhard Weber album, for a second time.
what a great article about Ralph Towner, someone I was not very familiar with but really love his music after listening to the audio in article....am going to lookup your interview with Ralph on Jazziz.
Thank you very much for this glimpse into the mind of a musical titan. Ralph Towner was the most un-guitaristic of guitarists, yet upon hearing him one is convinced that this is the most perfect way to play the instrument (or plays the guitar the way it should be played to paraphrase Miles Davis). I have long held the view that Ralph Towner was the Bill Evans of the guitar, even more so now.
I so enjoyed this read, and I look forward to diving into many recordings you embedded in video and text. I know his playing a bit from Oregon and from Matchbook, so much more to explore.
This is the nicest thing I've seen about Ralph since he passed. Well done, Sir. In the past 53 years, I'd heard parts of a lot of those same stories which Ralph told you, but it's nice to see them assembled. One question: Are you sure about that 10/1/84 date for Ralph & John opening at the Bottom Line for Garbarek's quartet with Weber, Frisell and DiPasqua? I was at that gig, but my contact sheets say it was 10/1/82...
Great article. I had no idea he died. Sorry to get this news. I just played his duo with Gary Peacock, A Closer View, last week. Towner had a sound that was full of warmth and surprise.
I lived in Seattle for 25 years. Sadly, I only got a chance to see Ralph Towner perform once- with Oregon (Trilok Gurtu version). He had a habit of playing over the winter holidays while I was back East in Connecticut visiting my family.
One of my all time favorites and part of the reason I ended up living in the NW to begin with. In addition to the great albums mentioned here, one of my all time favorites is Kenny Wheeler's "Der Wan" with Dave Holland and John Abercrombie among others.
Patrick, I stand corrected, sir. That Bottom Line gig was indeed in 1982, not 1984. Thanks!
That gig was the last time I heard Michael DiPasqua play. By the mid-80s, he had pretty much quit music, to take over a family empire of 300 + sandwich shops in his (and my) native Florida. Subway's gain, music's loss. He did re-emerge in 2000 for long enough to record on an Eberhard Weber album, for a second time.
What a lovely interview with one of my favourite players since I 1st saw him perform in '77
Thank you, Bill.
what a great article about Ralph Towner, someone I was not very familiar with but really love his music after listening to the audio in article....am going to lookup your interview with Ralph on Jazziz.
Thank you very much for this glimpse into the mind of a musical titan. Ralph Towner was the most un-guitaristic of guitarists, yet upon hearing him one is convinced that this is the most perfect way to play the instrument (or plays the guitar the way it should be played to paraphrase Miles Davis). I have long held the view that Ralph Towner was the Bill Evans of the guitar, even more so now.
I so enjoyed this read, and I look forward to diving into many recordings you embedded in video and text. I know his playing a bit from Oregon and from Matchbook, so much more to explore.
This is the nicest thing I've seen about Ralph since he passed. Well done, Sir. In the past 53 years, I'd heard parts of a lot of those same stories which Ralph told you, but it's nice to see them assembled. One question: Are you sure about that 10/1/84 date for Ralph & John opening at the Bottom Line for Garbarek's quartet with Weber, Frisell and DiPasqua? I was at that gig, but my contact sheets say it was 10/1/82...
Great article. I had no idea he died. Sorry to get this news. I just played his duo with Gary Peacock, A Closer View, last week. Towner had a sound that was full of warmth and surprise.
I lived in Seattle for 25 years. Sadly, I only got a chance to see Ralph Towner perform once- with Oregon (Trilok Gurtu version). He had a habit of playing over the winter holidays while I was back East in Connecticut visiting my family.
One of my all time favorites and part of the reason I ended up living in the NW to begin with. In addition to the great albums mentioned here, one of my all time favorites is Kenny Wheeler's "Der Wan" with Dave Holland and John Abercrombie among others.