A founding member of Oregon, Ralph Towner is one of few jazz musicians to make acoustic guitar his specialty. His playing -- on nylon-string classical and 12-string acoustic -- weaves classical motifs and international folk styles through jazz harmony and rhythm. His 1973 outing Diary showcased his overdubbing technique for guitars and piano. Towner's recorded catalog is full of iconic musical encounters. Ensemble albums including 1975's Solstice, 1978's Batik, and 1979's Old Friends, New Friends are among his finest works. In 1984, his solo Blue Sun added minimal synth to the instrumental mélange. 2001's solo Anthem offered originals and jazz covers, and 2008's Chiaroscuro was recorded with trumpeter Paolo Fresu. Travel Guide arrived in 2012, showcasing a trio with guitarists Slava Grigoryan and Wolfgang Muthspiel. Towner realized a career-long ambition to record the title track solo with 2017's My Foolish Heart. 2023's At First Light featured originals, show tunes, and a traditional song.