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.
George I saw you play in Minneapolis years ago and was so moved by your music. I'm a guitarist but I've taken up piano also and I would have to say that your music inspired me. Check out my music if you get a chance, I do a song called "We are the People" that might touch your spirit. You might like "Reaching Out" also..........Mark
Hey George, was at the show in Fairfax tonight. Nice job as always. Have you ever thought of incorporating some slides or a video backdrop into your performance? Your DVD captures you playing and cuts away to Winter scenes effectively. I think that kind of element would enhance the experience of your audience as they are watching you lay down a live score to your inspirations. Thoughts?
They argued that the background investments for Celine Dion in Vegas would take away from her....but having seen that show as well....I can honestly say it was magical.
Hi George, that was my late fathers name, so pleasure to meet such an accomplished muisician and artist as yourself. I hope that you music career continues to flourish, adn all your endeavors continue to be successful!
Have a great concert and an equally charmed month of December. See your schedule has you coming to Minneapolis! Will try to attend, it would be such a privilege to see / hear you in concert! Such beautiful music!!
Thank you fro adding me to your friends. I thoroughly enjoy your music! What a wonderful surprise to have stumbled across such a beautiful sound as the one you created.....Sigh!!!! Have a really nice day. m :)
Hello George, it was a pleasure to visit your page, thanks for the invitation. Very nice video-clips, wish you good luck and musical inspiration. Best regards, Ruud.
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