Groove Master Towner Galaher's "BROTHERS"

TOWNER GALAHER, the versatile drummer, composer, and bandleader, returns to his 70’s roots in the Pacific Northwest on BROTHERS, his latest release. Groups like Tower of Power and Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters were breaking new ground combining elements of jazz and funk, and masters of the Hammond B3 organ, Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff, had moved away from swing and shuffle rhythms in favor of funky R&B beats. 

BROTHERS is Galaher’s fifth recording as a leader and follows Towner Galaher Organ Trio Live (2023), Uptown! (2012), Courageous Hearts (2009), and Panorama (2007). Galaher is a fan of the Hammond B3 organ sound, and like two of his previous albums, the B3 is an integral ingredient of his newest album’s eclectic, musical fare. 

Galaher, who originally hails from Portland, Oregon, dedicates BROTHERS to the late keyboard player, Johnny Sanders. Galaher relates, “I first met Johnny when I was 20 years old, when he came to a friend’s house and pulled out a Fender Rhodes from his station wagon. We had an impromptu jam session right there in the kitchen.” Soon after, he met B3 player JIMMY SANDERS, Johnny’s brother, and the three of them became close friends and musical compatriots. Although they eventually went their separate ways, with Jimmy and Johnny going to Nashville and Galaher heading for New York City in 1986, their connection was deep and impactful. 

Galaher was heartbroken when Johnny passed away in 2009 but reconnected to both his brother Jimmy as well as bassist RANDY MONROE, a popular electric bass player in the Portland area who played on the second album Galaher recorded with the Sanders brothers in 1980. Jimmy played B3 in Galaher’s first organ trio group in 1983 as did Randy. Although the group was short-lived, when Jimmy told him in 2018 that he was moving back to Oregon, Galaher became intrigued with the idea of making a new recording with them. He called the album BROTHERS as a tribute to Jimmy’s brother, Johnny, and because he feels that Jimmy and Randy are his ‘brothers from another mother.’

Also featured on BROTHERS are two stellar, New York-based musicians, saxophonist CRAIG HANDY and guitarist MARVIN HORNE. Handy toured with Herbie Hancock from 1996 to 1999 and has performed with top jazz artists including Cedar Walton, Elvin Jones, and Joe Henderson. He appeared on Galaher’s second and third albums, Courageous Hearts and Uptown! Horne has performed with the likes of Chico Hamilton, Elvin Jones, and Aretha Franklin. He appeared on Galaher’s 2023 release, Towner Galaher Organ Trio Live.

BROTHERS features a set of eight original compositions written by Sanders and Galaher, both collaboratively and individually. The songs cover a wide range of styles and moods with tight, energetic rhythm section grooves and burning solos throughout. The album opens with the tune “Brothers.” Sanders wrote the chord progression and groove while Galaher wrote the melody. Galaher relates, “This was the first track we recorded, and right from the opening bars, you can feel the love, brotherhood, and good vibes that were firmly established in our 20s!” 

Galaher studied with Mike Clark, who was in Herbie Hancock’s group The Headhunters. Galaher says, “Mike showed me a beat that stayed with me over the years. Jimmy and Randy were both deeply influenced by this group and during our first day of rehearsals, I said, ‘Let’s see if we can make something up with this groove.’” It took no time for the high energy “Hit It and Quit It” to take shape. 

“Rio-lization,” by Sanders, is a Brazilian tune with a unique and captivating chord progression showcasing Jimmy’s creativity and originality as a composer. Handy plays an extended solo and manages to keep the energy and creative ideas building right through to the end. Galaher had written “The Diamond Chalice” on guitar when he was in his mid-20s. “Craig Handy interpreted the melody and feeling so beautifully,” says Galaher. “I’m always filled with wonder and appreciation when a musician interprets a composition of mine that brings it so fully to life.” 

When Galaher was just starting out exploring the Portland music scene, he came across a group called Piece of the Action, which featured Jimmy Sanders. The group inspired Galaher to write the funky “Piece of the Action.” Sanders originally composed “Cahva Bite?” and Galaher suggested adding a bridge in 6/8 to which he later wrote the melody for. Jimmy suggested the clever title, remembering that his brother Johnny would often tease their niece whenever she had something tasty to eat. “Can I have a bite?”

“Past Present and Future,” another composition by Sanders, doesn’t fit neatly in any musical category, once again showcasing Jimmy’s ability to think outside the box as a composer. The title also alludes to Jimmy, Randy and Towner’s past musical endeavors, and the intent for future collaborations. The tune features an outstanding solo by Horne. “Seventh Heaven” was written by Sanders and his late brother Johnny many years ago. The tune is in 7/4 and has a gospel feel. Since the album is dedicated to Johnny Sanders, Galaher thought it was a fitting way to close the album.

Every composition on BROTHERS has a different groove, which keeps the album interesting from the first note to the last. The band of longtime friends is simply top notch and creativity, passion, joy and friendship are on full display. 

About Towner Galaher

Galaher was born in Portland, Oregon. He picked up drums at age nine and was so dedicated to learning and playing that he went straight from high school into the club scene. His mentor in Portland was Mel Brown, who played jazz in between tours with his two main gigs, The Temptations and The Supremes. Galaher has spent 45 years in music education including 21 years teaching in New York City Public Schools. He studied jazz and funk with Headhunters drummer Mike Clark and then Afro-Cuban drumming with Frankie Malabe and Johnny Almendra, Brazilian drumming with Duduka da Foncesa, and New Orleans drumming with Ricky Sebastian. Galaher organically blends all of those diverse rhythmic elements in his playing and composing. 

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BROTHERS is set for release on January 3, 2025 on Rhythm Royale Records and will be available everywhere.



Online:

Townergalahermusic.com

Facebook.com/towner.galaher.7