Discography

One listen to Uptown! and it's easy to see why drum master Lenny White calls Galaher "a triple threat – great drummer, great composer, great bandleader," or why modern jazz-funk innovator Mike Clark praises Towner for his "unquenchable desire to know all there is about music...and to play the kind of jazz that is informed by the masters of the past while pointing to the future." "Surrounded by such seasoned vets and stellar soloists as Lynch, Harrison, Handy and Bianchi, Galaher makes his most striking statement to date on this potent outing."

What's the secret to making a close-to-perfect jazz album? You know, the kind of CD that finds its way into your player more often than others? The one you listen to on headphones when you're bummed; you know, that kind of record? Well, ask drummer Towner Galaher. He seems to have it figured out with his latest offering, Uptown!  "Uptown! is the kind of album that rewards multiple listenings. Great players playing great music seems to do that.  Oh, and once you've put it on, don't forget to hit the "Repeat" button."

This Uptown! CD crashes onto the set, stokes my attention like a freeway pile-up, then settles into a blues-fueled, hard-bop, organ-led-ensemble of pure pleasure. Made me want to pull my car over, let the seat down, close my eyes and get totally immersed in the music! The entire album reminded me of 1950's and 1960's jazz when Jimmy Smith was king of organ jazz. This album is thick with history, and exudes masterful talent, steeped in the magic of yesteryear and with the promise that the best is yet to come. These musicians liken themselves to days when the music of Coltrane, Jack McDuff and Dolphy were struttin' down the block. "Not only is Galaher a kick-butt drummer, he's a consummate composer. His original songs all sound like the stuff legendary jazz standards are made of."
" You'll hear the talented results in this unforgettable album that will make you dance, hard-bop and jump for joy! "

Organ-driven jazz, funk, and blues are often centered on the premise of pushing the beat and driving the music to influence the organ sound and feel. The sound and propulsion of the drums are most important. This is where the new Towner Galaher full-length Uptown! shines. The pulse on this record is not often found in newer releases. From the opening to the closing track, the drums create the music's core and push the other musicians into different focal points of release. 

"The most impressive thing about this recording is the live feel of the album. This album could have been recorded on any night at a club or concert venue-it seems as if the musicians have been playing together on the circuit for decades." 

"Uptown! demonstrates how organ-driven jazz should be played. The pulse is the focus and the rest falls into place. The album makes listeners feel as if they are in a club hearing the band let go. The freedom in the recording is amazing, and the production is one of the best I have heard in a long while, revealing the player's ability and testifying to the engineer's ears and the set-up of the room. Galaher drives the band with a great right hand and phenomenal accents that never bore, and his songwriting is wonderful.

If you are looking for a great sounding drum and organ-driven group, this record is for you. Live, tasteful playing within an open-pulsed space is refreshing given our contemporary music landscape. Give Uptown! a listen and enjoy."

Yeah, Yeah, this is how to make a great jazz album! Courageous Hearts practically explodes with many of the qualities that attracted me to jazz in the first place swing/pulse/groove; a raw, aching/restless passion, unpredictability, and for the lack of a better term, a "cry," an almost primal, indefinable what is that reaches past the frontal lobes down into your (dare I say it) soul. Drummer/composer Galaher (the disc is mostly originals) is carrying on (intentionally or not) the legacies of Art Blakey and Horace Silver stylistically, Hearts is hard bop with a strong current of blues and gospel roots throughout. The tunes are dynamic and immediate, the playing bright, resolute, vigorous, and animated. A dynamo without being a showoff, Galaher drives the proceedings the way Blakey drove his Messengers and Keith Moon did the Who...and what a band he's got: Craig Handy (tenor), Fred Wesley, from James Brown's Jbs (trombone), Brian Lynch (trumpet), the Tyneresque George Colligan (keys), and Charles Fambrough (bass). This is one of the few jazz discs in recent years I can hear in its entirety and then, play it again, Sam. Don't miss this.

Drummer Towner Galaher's 4th recording as a leader features him leading his Organ Trio live in performance. The selections here run the gamut of musical moods from groovin' head-boppers to mellow ballads. The combined talents of Galaher, Hammond organist Lonnie Gasperini and guitarist Marvin Horne are top shelf. The same must be said for the quality of the album's set, which is weighed in favor of originals by Gasperini  and augmented by excellent covers of tunes by Jack McDuff, Dr Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, Ann Ronell and Jimmy Smith. Outstanding music from beginning to end.

Showcasing a locked in, intuitive camaraderie that Galaher eloquently describes in the liner notes as 'having a groove deep and wide with heartfelt and creative soloing riding over the top' the trio goes to town on paying homage to their organ trio forbearers (sometimes quite directly on a booming hard swinging romp through Jack McDuffs "Hot Barbecue" and a cool, sly and jangling strut on Jimmy Smiths "Mellow Mood") with a full set of relentless jamming energy and soul-piercing solo action. 

While craftily putting their own spin on a unique slate of standards (including "Willow Weep For Me", "I'm Walkin'", Dr Lonnie Smith's three beat pulsified "Norleans"), the collection also highlights the incredible composing skills of Gasperini, who contributed five originals, starting with the feisty, bustling opening homage "One For McGriff". Another remarkable aspect of this live recording is the fact that with the exception of "Fever" - which took two takes to nail, every other song was captured in a single take. In the wake of Joey DeFrancesco's recent passing, it would be great to see other organ groups like Galaher's reminding us just how incredible the vibe can be. 

Lots of rhythmic variety on here as the trio grooves on hard bop, swing, funk, R&B, jazz waltz, and that classic standby of the soul jazz crowd, boogaloo. Towner Galaher has studied New Orleans rhythm with Ricky Sebastian, and that second line sound permeates many of the tunes. Galaher usually records his own original material, but for this one went for classic soul jazz songs by folks like Dr Lonnie Smith, Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith and Lou Donaldson, plus five pieces by Gasperini in classic soul jazz style including one tribute to Jimmy McGriff. If you are a fan of 60's soul jazz, you will not be disappointed in this album, in fact, even the production is totally lacking in fake digital sheen, and that is a good thing. All the performers are great, but Horne in particular brings some very unique approaches and original ideas on his instrument. In the CD liner notes, Towner relates: "What these guys bring to the table ....grit, grease, heartfelt blues feeling and ... a whole lotta soul!!! Cannot be learned out of any book or at any music school. Enjoy!" 

With his deft and sympathetic brush work, Galaher lays the foundation for Gasperini's full bodied chords and Horne's soulful guitar work. So, regardless of the composition, whether it be Gasperini's "Keep Talkin'", an uptempo blues shuffle, or alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson's "Alligator Boogaloo", the band demonstrates terrific group interplay, coupled with an energetic exchange of ideas. Overall the session is a wonderful demonstration of the groups musical ability and versatility. 

Featuring exceptional guitar work by Marvin Horne, the album reaches its peak with a thrilling rendition of Jimmy Smiths "Mellow Mood". The closing track, an alternate take of "One For McGriff", showcases even more soulful and bluesy solos by Horne and Gasperini. 

The Hammond B-3 organ, deeply rooted in the black churches, served as the foundation for many jazz masters. With this album, Galaher and his trio pay tribute to this timeless instrument and the classic sound it represents —- a swinging, funky, greasy and  bluesy vibe. Galaher and his cohorts on Towner Galaher Organ Trio Live, deliver a remarkable addition to the collection of outstanding organ trio records.

These three consummate musicians get to the heart and soul of their music quickly in this set, enabling and elevating profound musical conversations. The Towner Galaher Organ Trio has creative music and contemporary vision that is pushing their music forward, but they're also remaining in touch with their roots. The real treat of their "Live" album is that we get to hear an outstanding trio perform entertaining music that simply makes us feel good.

 Joe Ross 

The groove feels right from the start with "One For McGriff" followed by a cover of "Fever".

Lonnie Gasperini is cooking on the B-3 complimented by guitarist Marvin Horne's bluesy leads. Leader, drummer Towner Galaher pounds a solid beat that keeps our heads boppin'! There are 14 tracks and approximately 70 minutes of pleasure. "Lover Man", "Alligator Boogaloo", "Lonnies Funk" and "Mellow Mood" are some of the bests making Organ Trio Live a winner!

Drummer Towner Galaher brings together a vintage sounding Hammond B-3 trio with Lonnie Gasperini humming through the Leslie speakers and Marvin Horne gliding on the guitar. Galaher plays to his strengths here, mixing blues shuffling originals like Gasperini's hip "One For McGriff" and "Keep Talkin'" to vintage tunes like Lou Donaldson's "Alligator Boogaloo" that crawls up to its title. Galaher give a crips Bourbon Street beat to "Norleans" and is deft on the brushes for a tasty take of "Lover Man", while Horne and Gasperini give a chunky funky take of "Fever". A blue plate special that sticks to the ribs.

A funky, soulful demeanor laid down throughout. They 'get it'. 

"Galaher shows off his funk chops on the drums and musically spirits us down to New Orleans, Louisiana, reliving some hot, humid, happy Mardi Gras nights ... "Keep Talkin'" is a swing dancer's delight."

Towner Galaher is a protean drummer adept at a multitude of styles. He plays 10 different grooves on Live's 14 tracks, laying down a smorgasbord of rhythmic styles that range from boogaloo to straight-ahead swing to jazz waltz and beyond.

"The album's music, full of rhythm and blues, funk, New Orleans rhythms – will fly by like a bullet. Galaher showed a lot of creativity to breathe fire into the music. He used as many as 10 different grooves in 14 tracks on the album." 

Gasperini is a very skilled composer and he shows it in his five contributions to the album. He, along with Galaher and Horne have been playing together for over 14 years and their chemistry is evident on every track.

That first track was composed by Gasperini, and it is a cheerful, swinging number featuring some delicious playing from all three musicians. It has a strong groove, one to make your body happy, and in the second half there is a cool drum solo. And speaking of strong grooves, they follow that with a cover of "Fever," the guitar at first taking on what would be the vocal line. This is such a cool song, and these guys get into it, the guitar soon cutting loose. Then "Willow Weep For Me" begins with drums, immediately letting us know that their take on this song is going to be outside the ordinary approach. And, yeah, it features another delicious groove. There is some good work on both organ and guitar, but the drums are what really make this rendition something special. Things get even more fun with the trio's rendition of "Hot Barbecue," a track that will likely get you moving. From there, the trio goes straight into "Norleans," keeping the groove going and the joy high. How can you not be affected by that great New Orleans rhythm? This is one of my personal favorite tracks. Then I love the guitar work on "Lover Man." "Keep Talkin'" is another fun number, this one written by Lonnie Gasperini.