An Evening with George Winston

Overview

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 the 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.

Pianist George Winston released his 16^th solo piano album, NIGHT, on RCA Records on May 6, 2022. NIGHT is a vivid look into Winston’s nocturnal world where life begins as the sun sets on each day. NIGHT features four original Winston compositions, as well as renditions of the late New Orleans pianist Allen Toussaint’s “Freedom For The Stallion”, Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” plus additional interpretations. Two decades in the making, NIGHT turns darkness into a prism of colors. “The night has many colors, they’re just more subtle. And I am nocturnal” says George.