Towner Galaher | Courageous Hearts
On May 19, Fast-Rising Jazz Drummer and Composer
Towner Galaher
Steps Further into the Spotlight with the Release of his Second Album, Courageous Hearts
Towner Galaher
Steps Further into the Spotlight with the Release of his Second Album, Courageous Hearts
Drawing
primarily from the hard bop tradition, Galaher includes Brazilian,
Afro-Cuban, New Orleans second line and Oakland funk, in the seven
original tunes and his unique arrangement of "Hot House" and
high-energy version of "Afro-Blue," for Courageous Hearts. This
recording showcases Galaher's strength as a
leader by bringing six gifted musicians together in a performance that
lets everyone's talent shine while also unifying into a tight, cohesive
sound.
His lineup is impressive, with participants including bassist Charles
Fambrough (whose credits include work with Art Blakey, McCoy Tyner and
Wynton Marsalis), pianist George Colligan (Cassandra Wilson, Ravi
Coltrane, Robin Eubanks), trumpeter Brian Lynch (Blakey, Eddie
Palmieri, Phil Woods), tenor saxophonist Craig Handy (Blakey, Herbie
Hancock, Elvin Jones) and trombonist Fred Wesley (James Brown,
Parliament, and Count Basie). Celebrated percussionists Gabriel Machado and Ze Mauricio guest on several tracks as well.
What impresses more is Galaher's willingness to share space equally
with his colleagues; and, to everyone's collective credit, the
intuitive communication achieved by these artists, who play as if
they've been working as a unit for years even though some of them had
never played together.
"Except for Charles, I'd never even met any of them before we had our
one rehearsal," Galaher says. "And even then, only four of the
musicians were in town and available; the other two I never saw until
they showed up for the session. So there was a certain risk involved,
even though it was a calculated one, given the talent of these people.
And this is the approach that Miles [Davis] took in his music, which
appeals strongly to me: the fresher the music, the more life can come
out of it."
Galaher had sent his arrangements to everyone in advance, but when tape actually rolled what mattered most was the energy that crackled through how they played and then stretched beyond the written parts. On "April 28," for instance, one of seven Galaher compositions on the album, the last chorus exemplifies the excitement and joy involved when masters of jazz decide to wing it on their own.
"I love the New Orleans approach to group improvisation," he explains. "As I worked out the chart, I started hearing that element at the end of this tune. So when we got ready to record, I told the guys, 'When we vamp at the end, everybody solo at once, just like in New Orleans.' They all nodded their heads - and it turned out great."
Galaher's vision for Courageous Hearts stems from his eclectic background as a drummer, composer and arranger. Since moving to NYC from the Pacific Northwest, he has worked with artists as diverse as Wynton Marsalis, former Louis Armstrong associate Arvel Shaw, jazz vocal scatmaster Jon Hendricks and Arturo O'Farill, leader of the Chico O'Farill Afro-Cuban Big Band.
His musical range grows from a solid academic foundation, as reflected by his Masters Degree in Jazz Performance from Queens College, his output as an author of performance textbooks and essays on jazz, Latin music and New Orleans R&B, and the praise that his work inspires from the highest levels of the jazz community. Legendary drummer Lenny White has described Galaher as "a triple threat: great drummer, composer and bandleader," while Mike Clark, formerly with Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters, points to him as "the drummer and musician to keep your eye on."
That expectation is fulfilled on Courageous Hearts. "This is the result of persevering toward a dream I've had for many years, to make music of the highest integrity with the best players available," Galaher says. "That's why I dedicate it to 'all those who hold fast to the dreams and aspirations of their youth throughout their lives, living true to themselves.'"
DL Media
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