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George Winston

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 LOVE WILL COME--THE MUSIC OF VINCE GUARALDI, VOL. 2 (to be released 2/2/10), which features compositions by the late jazz pianist, including pieces from the Peanuts® TV specials.

Since 1980 George has released ten 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) and GULF COAST BLUES & IMPRESSIONS--A HURRICANE RELIEF BENEFIT (2006).

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.

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Performance / Tour

Get Exclusive San Francisco Presale Password and VIP Packages to see George Winston at Grace Cathedral (SF)

Get Exclusive San Francisco Presale Password and VIP Packages to see George Winston at Grace Cathedral (SF)

Source: Michael Ricci

Get exclusive first access for tickets to see George Winston LIVE at the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco on May 7th! Those who are subscribed to the official mailing list will get first chance this Friday, March 12th to purchase tickets to this hometown show.Sign up for the official mailing list here: georgewinston.com Also available with this presale will be access to exclusive VIP packages to the show that will include: 2 tickets seated in the first 3 ...

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Recording

"Love Will Come" with New George Winston Album

"Love Will Come" with New George Winston Album

Source: Michael Ricci

Pianist George Winston recorded a tribute album in 1996 to jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi (1928-1976), a musician beloved by generations for the compositions he recorded for various Charlie Brown television specials and for his standard “Cast Your Fate to the Wind." That album was Linus & Lucy--The Music of Vince Guaraldi, and Winston revisits his musical hero a second time with Love Will Come--The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol. 2, a collection of a wide range of Guaraldi interpretations. The ...

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