George Winston's Latest Album GULF COAST BLUES & IMPRESSIONS — A Hurricane Relief Benefit
Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions–A Hurricane Relief Benefit was inspired by George's desire to support the Gulf Coast region after the hurricane devastation.
100% of the artist’s proceeds will go to organizations helping people in the Gulf Coast and in New Orleans to rebuild and to return. RCA Records will also be donating the bulk of its net profits.
George Winston Songbook Now Available
First fully authorized songbook features 20 transcriptions. Available to order now at georgewinston.com.
The songs transcribed in the songbook are:
1. Black Stallion
2. The Cradle
3. Graduation
4. Joy
5. Loreta and Desiree’s Bouquet – Part 1
6. Longing
7. Lullaby
8. New Hope Blues
9. Prelude / Carol of the Bells
10. Reflection
11. Stevenson
12. Thanksgiving
13. Thumbelina
14. The Twisting of the Hayrope
15. Variations on Bamboo
16. Variations on the Kanon by Pachelbel
17. The Velveteen Rabbit
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Three from THE SNOWMAN:
18. Walking in the Air
19. Building the Snowman
20. The Snowman's Music Box Dance
Influences
Right now George is concentrating on live performances, as well as studying the playing of the great New Orleans pianists Henry Butler, the late James Booker, Dr. John, and the late Professor Longhair, as well as Dr. John and Jon Cleary.
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, Al Kooper, Ray Charles, Curtis Mayfield, Laura Nyro, Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Henry Butler, James Booker, Jon Cleary, John Coltrane, Milt Jackson, John Hartford, Taj Mahal, Bruce Cockburn, Philip Aaberg, and others, to play at concerts, and at his solo piano dances, where he features R&B, slow dance songs, and more.
Sounds Like
Here is James Booker playing Pixie , his composition that George recorded on his album Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions–A Hurricane Relief Benefit
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.
Thank You for reaching out. I admire really solo artist. After visiting a few European Piano bars it's what has inspired me as Bassist to learn Guitar.... Great Music. I thought New Orleans was going to be my favorite track then I heard Pixie 3.
Thanks, George, for the request. We are already friends at my piano page. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for you and your piano work. You are a big influence on my own playing, and have been since I first heard the "Winter" album.
Hello George Winston Thank you for being a positive force in this world. Music is one of the few things left that still has the power to bring people from different cultures together in harmony. Always feel free to contact me.
Thanks for listening and for supporting New Orleans! I like your song Woods. Please check out our website if you have a free moment. www.morellamusic.com
Thanks so much for the request and most of all for your superb music and inspiration. I'm still remember when I was shockin' my band's musicians in the 1990's, just by lettin 'em listening your "Miles City Train" on the van's cassette! Great!
********************************************************************** Presale Offers For All 3 George Winston Area Dates ********************************************************************** George Winston
GRAND JUNCTION, CO (Presale Password: WINSTON) Tue, August 11th, 2009 8:00 PM (Doors open at: 7:00 PM) Roper Music Ballroom 130 North 5th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501 (970-243-8497) All Ages. $35.00 Advance. $40.00 Day Of Show. Tickets available from Ticketswest
FORT COLLINS, CO (Presale Password: REESE) Thu, August 13th, 2009 8:00 PM (Doors open at: 7:00 PM) Lincoln Center Performance Hall 417 W. Magnolia, Fort Collins, CO 80521 (970 221-6730) All Ages. $30.00 Advance. $35.00 Day Of Show. Tickets available from Lincoln Center Box Office
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (Presale Password: GEORGE) Sat, August 15th, 2009 8:00 PM (Doors open at: 7:00 PM) Pikes Peak Center 190 South Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO (719-477-2100) All Ages. $32.00 Advance. $37.00 Day Of Show. Tickets available fromTicketswest
Greetings From LA, I'm happy to be your friend and have the chance to listen to your great piano tracks! All the best to you George and your creative endeavors!
I'm honored to be here.Thank you for the wonderful music all these years,it's always been there close to my heart!Many,many greetings from Greece.thanks.
I like your video collection and nice to hear you talking about your music. George Winston had inspired an entire generation of pianists with his originality and genius.
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