George Winston

George Winston

Santa Cruz, California

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.

George Winston is undeniably a household name. He’s inspired fans and musicians alike with his singular solo acoustic piano songs for more than 40 years while selling 15 million albums. A tireless road warrior playing nearly 100 concerts annually, live performance for Winston is akin to breathing. Winston’s music is evocative, offering us all a chance to take a step back from our perpetually busy lives and let our minds adventurously wander.

His newest album - Restless Wind - is a portrayal of Winston’s place in a chaotic world—his compositions extend solace with an idiosyncratic grace.

Reflective of Winston’s catalogue of famed albums, Restless Wind is the next chapter for the pianist’s ambitious recordings. Winston’s latest song collection exhibits his masterful artistry of adapting ensemble arrangements to solo piano with magnificent results.

Winston features 10 renditions of culturally potent compositions while opening the album with a new original song available starting March 21 for download and streaming, “Autumn Wind (Pixie #11).”

George Winston’s classic albums, Autumn and December, are perennial favorites, along with Winter into Spring, Summer, 2017’s Spring Carousel—A Cancer Research Benefit, as well as two volumes of the compositions of Vince Guaraldi, two volumes of benefit albums for the Gulf Coast disasters, and six other solo piano albums.

Commencing on March 21, George Winston embarks on a U.S. tour to celebrate the release of Restless Wind throughout the East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest. Tickets go on-sale to the general public today (March 21) at 11am EST on GeorgeWinston.com/concerts.

His solo piano release LOVE WILL COME - THE MUSIC OF VINCE GUARALDI, VOL. 2, featured compositions by the late jazz pianist, including pieces from the PeanutsĀ® TV specials.

George Winston plays Steinway Pianos
http://www.georgewinston.com

Artist Blog

  • George Winston to Release New Studio Album on May 3rd, 2019!

    George Winston To Release New Studio Album Restless Wind on May 3, 2019 Via Dancing Cat Records/RCA Records New Song “Autumn Wind (Pixie #11)” Out Now Announces U.S. Tour to Celebrate 15th Solo…

  • New Interview - “Solo Piano Man”

    New George Winston interview with Jim Newsom for TReehouse Magazine: http://www.thetreehousemagazine.com/music/music-reviews/solo-man.html "He had called to talk about his recently released album,…

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