Ralph Towner, an American guitarist, has been closely associated with ECM since the beginning of his career, creating a distinctive body of work in collaboration with the label. His output focuses primarily on solo recordings, with his debut album, "Diary," released half a century ago. With "At First Light," Towner continues this tradition, drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical influences. In an explanatory note, he emphasizes: "My solo albums always include original pieces that bear the traces of those composers and musicians who have shaped me." These include George Gershwin, John Coltrane, John Dowland, and Bill Evans. Alongside his own compositions, Towner also interprets works such as "Little Old Lady" by Hoagy Carmichael, "Make Someone Happy" by Jule Styne, and the traditional "Danny Boy." "At First Light" was recorded in February 2022 at the Auditorio Stelio Molo RSI in Lugano, Switzerland, and produced by Manfred Eicher.
