about GeorgeWinston
George Winston grew up mainly in Montana, and also spent his later formative years in Mississippi and Florida. During this time, his favorite music was instrumental rock and instrumental R&B, including Floyd Cramer, the Ventures, Booker T & The MG’s, Jimmy Smith, and many more. Inspired by R&B, jazz, Blues and rock (especially the Doors), George began playing organ in 1967. In 1971 he switched to the acoustic piano after hearing recordings from the 1920s and the 1930s by the legendary stride pianists Thomas “Fats” Waller and the late Teddy Wilson. In addition to working on stride piano, he also at this time came up with this own style of melodic instrumental music on solo piano, called folk piano. In 1972, he recorded his first solo piano album, BALLADS AND BLUES 1972, for the late guitarist John Fahey’s Takoma label.
His latest solo piano release is GULF COAST BLUES & IMPRESSIONS - A HURRICANE RELIEF BENEFIT (2006), which features originals, as well as pieces by the great New Orleans pianists Henry Butler, James Booker, and Dr. John. A second benefit album is planned.
Since 1980 George has released nine other solo piano albums: AUTUMN (1980), WINTER INTO SPRING (1982), DECEMBER (1982), SUMMER (1991), FOREST (1994), LINUS & LUCY-THE MUSIC OF VINCE GUARALDI (1996), which features compositions by the late jazz pianist, including Cast Your Fate to the Wind and pieces from the Peanuts® TV specials; PLAINS (1999), which was inspired by his Eastern Montana upbringing, NIGHT DIVIDES THE DAY - THE MUSIC OF THE DOORS (2002), and MONTANA - A LOVE STORY (2004). His next release will be LOVE WILL COME - THE MUSIC OF VINCE GUARALDI, VOL. 2.
Also, in 2001 George released REMEMBRANCE - A MEMORIAL BENEFIT, a six song CD of piano, guitar and harmonica solos, to benefit those affected by 9/11. He has also worked with the late George Levenson of Informed Democracy (www.informeddemocracy.com) on three projects: a solo guitar soundtrack for SADAKO AND THE THOUSAND PAPER CRANES, and soundtracks of piano, guitar and, harmonica solos for PUMPKIN CIRCLE, and BREAD COMES TO LIFE. In 1984 he also did the solo piano soundtrack for the children’s story THE VELVETEEN RABBIT for Rabbit Ears Productions.
George is presently concentrating mainly on live performances, and most of the time he is touring playing solo piano concerts (the Summer Show or the Winter Show), solo guitar concerts, solo harmonica concerts, and solo piano dances (with R&B and slow dance songs).
He is also studying the playing of the great New Orleans pianists Henry Butler, James Booker, Professor Longhair, Dr. John, and Jon Cleary, and he is also working on interpreting pieces on solo piano by his favorite composers, including Vince Guaraldi, Professor Longhair, the Doors, Frank Zappa, Randy Newman, Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield, Laura Nyro, Al Kooper, Dr. John, Henry Butler, James Booker, Jon Cleary, Ralph Towner, Arthur Lee, Milt Jackson, John Hartford, Oliver Schroer, Taj Mahal, Philip Aaberg, and others, to play at concerts, and at his solo piano dances.
George is also working on solo guitar and is recording the masters of the Hawaiian Slack Key guitar for an extensive series of albums for Dancing Cat Records (www.dancingcat.com). Slack Key is the name for the beautiful solo fingerstyle guitar tradition, unique to Hawaii, which began in the early 1800s and predated the steel guitar by over half a century. He is also recording his main inspirations for his harmonica playing, Sam Hinton, Rick Epping, and Curt Bouterse.
George Winston plays Steinway Pianos www.georgewinston.com
news
President Obama Volunteer Initiative
posted September 7th at 8:07pm
George Winston is working with President Obama's Volunteer Initiative Program, and is encouraging everyone to check out the program at http://www.serve.gov if you wish to serve.
President Obama talks about it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGkUoBDYnrg
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Hi George, Thanks for getting in touch. I'm really enjoying listening to your piano, glad that you are making lots of music and sharing it with the world Esther
Tuesday at 6:43amHey George, your music is very wonderful. Is my remedy when I'm depressed, you're blessed.
Sunday at 8:43pmJust listening to Thanksgivin, modal harmonies - truly beautiful! I also hear that you treat the guitar superbly. I have spent all my youth on classical guitar but today I'm to lazy to keep it up to standard. Someway the piano is a bit more forgiving :-) All The Best /Christian
Sunday at 4:06pmThanks for the friendship !!!
October 28th at 3:27pmThanks GeorgeWinston!
September 3rd at 9:52amHi George, It is a pleasure to hear your music. Thanks for the connection!
September 3rd at 9:23amThe senses are so artfully fulfilled when listening to you play. Thanks for finding Wistful Sound Gazers here and for your gift of music.
July 13th at 7:05pmFIrst off, wow! You finding US? Seems it should be the other way around since we are a HUGE fan of yours and Shadowfax - even started a Fan page on Facebook for them, Chuck and Stu - so, we see you're here and just as we're uploading some songs from our new CD - of course you're busy like us, but if you get a moment, it's chock full of Rejyna's Midi Guitar trying to be keys, strings, horns, gongs - actually pulls some of it off too! Thanks George for hooking up with us here - very, very honored :-) Rejyna/Citadel
July 11th at 9:30pmHey George, love the piano. I like your style. The way you play warms the heart to say the least. Thank you for sharing! Peace
June 3rd at 12:06am