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.
Hi! Thanks for letting me be your friend! I'll never forget when I heard you first time in concert. Seeing you play and listening to your soul was like an illusion, a kind of miracle experience, like I couldn't believe what was transpiring, a real expience that immediately left me in heart felt tears. It is an honor to be a friend and among your also inspiring friends. Sincerely, Michael Jensen
I'm glad you that found me and we're friends on this nutty website. I've enjoyed your playing and music for longer than I need to mention. I am pretty sure I saw you perform at Clark University back in the late 70s or early 80s, and it's to know you are going strong. I don't think I've heard you play solo guitar. I'll have to visit your official website to find out more about that.
A most fascinating career George Im very honored to be here Juanita K Hammons Auditorium here in Springfield would love to have you sometime Best regards ~ Mark ~
Hello!George！！ How are you? Live broadcasting thank you. I look busy every day. I give a concert in Japan, and please hold it next year!！ I look forward to.
