On January 18, 2026, Ralph Towner died aged 85. He was musician (guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion, trumpet, and French horn), composer, arranger and bandleader. He was member of the bands Paul Winter Consort, Atmosphere, but was best known as founding member of Oregon. Towner has performed and recorded with Azimuth, Bill Bruford, Salvatore Bonafede, Horace Arnold, Jerry Granelli, Vince Mendoza, Maria Pia De Vito, Gary Burton, Larry Coryell, Pino Daniele, Cyrus Faryar, Robben Ford, David Friesen, Jan Garbarek, Charlie Haden, Egberto Gismonti, Gerri Granger, Trilok Gurtu, Tim Hardin, Keith Jarrett, Maria Joao, Joseph LoDuca, Andy Middleton, Duke Pearson, Terry Plumeri, Michael Portal, Kenny Wheeler and Weather Report. As leader he released 27 albums.
Tag Archives: Duke Pearson
Blue Mitchell: Boss Horn
In November 1967, “Blue Note” label released “Boss Horn”, the 13th Blue Mitchell album. It was recorded in November 1966, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Alfred Lion.
Personnel:
- Blue Mitchell – trumpet
- Jerry Dodgion – flute, alto saxophone
- Junior Cook – tenor saxophone
- Pepper Adams – baritone saxophone
- Julian Priester – trombone
- Chick Corea – piano
- Cedar Walton – piano
- Gene Taylor – bass
- Mickey Roker – drums
- Duke Pearson – arrangements
Track listing:
- Millie – Duke Pearson
- O Mama Enit – Blue Mitchell
- I Should Care – Sammy Cahn, Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston
- Rigor Mortez – Dave Burns
- Tones for Joan’s Bones – Chick Corea
- Straight Up and Down – Chick Corea
Herbie Hancock: Speak Like A Child
In October 1968, “Blue Note” label released “Speak Like a Child”, the sixth Herbie Hancock album. It was recorded in March 1968, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Duke Pearson.
Personnel:
- Herbie Hancock — piano
- Ron Carter — bass
- Mickey Roker — drums
- Jerry Dodgion — alto flute
- Thad Jones — flugelhorn
- Peter Phillips — bass trombone
- Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
- David Bythewood – cover photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Herbie Hancock, except where noted.
- Riot
- Speak Like a Child
- First Trip – Ron Carter
- Toys
- Goodbye to Childhood
- The Sorcerer
Louis Smith: Here Comes Louis Smith
In April 1958, “Blue Note” label released “Here Comes Louis Smith”, the debut Louis Smith studio album. It was recorded in February 1958, at “Audio Sonic Sound” in Brill Building, New York City, and was produced by Tom Wilson.
Personnel:
- Louis Smith – trumpet
- Buckshot La Funke (Cannonball Adderley) – alto saxophone
- Duke Jordan – piano
- Tommy Flanagan – piano
- Doug Watkins – bass
- Art Taylor – drums
Track listing:
All tracks by Louis Smith, except where noted.
- Tribute to Brownie – Duke Pearson
- Brill’s Blues
- Ande
- Stardust – Hoagy Carmichael
- South Side
- Val’s Blues
Elvis Jones: Puttin’ It Together
In September 1968, “Blue Note” label released “Puttin’ It Together”, the tenth Elvis Jones album. It was recorded in April 1968, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, in New Jersey, and was produced by Duke Pearson.
Personnel:
- Elvin Jones – drums
- Joe Farrell – soprano and tenor saxophone, flute, piccolo
- Jimmy Garrison – bass
- Rudy Van Gelder – recording
- Forlenza Venosa Associates – design
- Francis Wolff – photography
- Billy Taylor – liner notes
Track listing:
- Reza – Ruy Guerra, Edu Lobo
- Sweet Little Maia – Jimmy Garrison
- Keiko’s Birthday March – Elvin Jones
- Village Greene – Billy Greene
- Jay-Ree – Joe Farrell
- For Heaven’s Sake – Elise Bretton, Sherman Edwards, Donald Meyer
- Ginger Bread Boy – Jimmy Heath
Lee Morgan: The Sixth Sense
In July 1970, “Blue Note” label released “The Sixth Sense”, the 28th Lee Morgan album. It was recorded November 1967 – September 1968, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Francis Wolff and Duke Pearson.
Personnel:
- Lee Morgan – trumpet
- Jackie McLean – alto saxophone
- Frank Mitchell – tenor saxophone
- Cedar Walton – piano
- Harold Mabern – piano
- Mickey Bass – bass
- Victor Sproles – bass
- Billy Higgins – drums
Track listing:
All tracks by Lee Morgan, except where noted.
- The Sixth Sense
- Short Count
- Psychedelic
- Afreaka – Cedar Walton
- Anti Climax
- The Cry of My People – Cal Massey
Bobby Hutcherson: Now!
In June 1970, “Blue Note” label released “Now!”, the eleventh Bobby Hutcherson album. It was recorded October – November 1969, at “A&R Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Duke Pearson.
Personnel:
- Bobby Hutcherson – vibraphone, marimba, vibes
- Harold Land – tenor saxophone
- Kenny Barron – piano
- Stanley Cowell – piano, electric piano
- Wally Richardson – guitar
- Herbie Lewis – bass
- Joe Chambers – drums
- Candido Camero – congas
- Gene McDaniels- lead vocals
- Hilda Harris, Albertine M. Robinson, Ellen Gilbert, Christine Spencer, Maeretha Stewart – backing vocal
Track listing:
- Slow Change – Bobby Hutcherson, Gene McDaniels
- Hello to the Wind – Joe Chambers, Gene McDaniels
- Now – Bobby Hutcherson, Gene McDaniels
- The Creators – Herbie Lewis
- Black Heroes – Harold Land
Bobby Hutcherson: San Francisco
In May 1971, “Blue Note” label released “San Francisco”, album by Bobby Hutcherson and Harold Land. It was recorded in July 1970, at “United Artists Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Duke Pearson.
Personnel:
- Bobby Hutcherson – vibraphone, marimba, percussion
- Harold Land – tenor saxophone, flute, oboe
- Joe Sample – piano, electric piano
- John Williams – bass, Fender bass
- Mickey Roker – drums
Track listing:
All tracks by Bobby Hutcherson, except where noted.
- Goin’ Down South – Joe Sample
- Prints Tie
- Jazz – Joe Sample
- Ummh
- Procession
- A Night in Barcelona – Harold Land
Joe Henderson: Inner Urge
In March 1966, “Blue Note” label released “Inner Urge”, the fourth Joe Henderson album. It was recorded in November 1964, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Alfred Lion.
Personnel:
- Joe Henderson – tenor saxophone
- McCoy Tyner – piano
- Bob Cranshaw – bass
- Elvin Jones – drums
- Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
- Reid Miles – design
- Francis Wolff – photography
- Nat Hentoff – liner notes
Track listing:
All tracks by Joe Henderson, except where noted.
- Inner Urge
- Isotope
- El Barrio
- You Know I Care – Duke Pearson
- Night and Day – Cole Porter
Grant Green: Idle Moments
In February 1965, “Blue Note” label released “Idle Moments”, the 16th Grant Green album. It was recorded in November 1963, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Alfred Lion.
Personnel:
- Grant Green – guitar
- Joe Henderson – tenor saxophone
- Duke Pearson – piano
- Bobby Hutcherson – vibraphone
- Bob Cranshaw – double bass
- Al Harewood – drums
Track listing:
- Idle Moments – Duke Pearson
- Jean De Fleur – Grant Green
- Django – John Lewis
- Nomad – Duke Pearson
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