Dancing Cat Records, the label Winston founded in 1983, became a key forum for the slack-key guitarists of the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance. On the latter instrument, he identified with the Hawaiian "slack-key" guitar tradition. Winston also played harmonica and guitar, recording an album of solos on the former in 2012 and incorporating the guitar into his benefit records. He recorded two benefit albums of what he called "Gulf Coast Blues and Impressions." "The vast majority of songs, about 90% I play, are in this style," he wrote. While his more pastoral and melodic music made him a star on records, he would often insert those pianists' songs, and his own originals inspired by them, into his albums and live performances. Winston spent much of the '70s studying New Orleans pianists Henry Butler, James Booker and Professor Longhair. He would record 13 more solo piano albums, with 1994's Forest winning a Grammy Award for best new age album. Together, the three recordings helped to launch the commercial success of what became known as new age - and made Windham Hill the genre's flagship label. It was a surprise hit, which Winston replicated with a sequel season-themed album Winter into Spring and the holiday record December. By the time Winston signed with Windham Hill and released Autumn in 1980, he had a glossier style that eliminated the folksy twang and incorporated the stride piano technique of left-hand bass patterns against right-hand melody. His 1973 debut album, Piano Solos (later re-released as Ballads and Blues), was recorded by folk guitarist John Fahey and had a more identifiable folk sound. His investigation of Doors organist Ray Manzarek's roots led him to jazz player Jimmy Smith, and in turn to the stride piano of Fats Waller - who inspired Winston to switch to piano in 1971. Born in Hart, Mich., in 1949 and raised in Montana, Winston was drawn to the organ after hearing the rock band The Doors in 1967. While many listeners heard classical foundations in his playing, Winston had neither training nor interest in classical music. Gaetz insists he’s serious about McCarthy amid criticism of ’empty. ![]() Secret Service agent raises questions about JFK ‘magic bullet’ theory ĭemocrats express frustration with Biden’s moribund poll numbers Texas impeachment: Whistleblower warned Paxton ‘You should not be doing. Meadows seeks to block possible conviction amid federal court removal battle Trump demands recusal of Judge Chutkan in federal 2020 election interference. Menendez voices ‘concerns’ about $6 billion US-Iran prisoner swapġ03 House Democrats join calls for Biden to open up the immigration playbook Hard-line House Republicans itching for shutdown, impeachment fights Ĭotton: Biden’s decision to release $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds. Ĭalifornia Democrat Barbara Lee rips Gavin Newsom over Feinstein appointment. Trump in South Dakota: Decision to overturn Roe v. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. “I just play the songs the best I can, inspired by the seasons and the topographies and regions, and, occasionally, by sociological elements, and try to improve as a player over time.” TagsĬopyright 2023 The Associated Press. “I came up with the melodic style that I play in 1971, and I have always called it ‘Folk Piano,’ (or more accurately ‘Rural Folk Piano’), since it is melodic and not complicated in its approach, like folk guitar picking and folk songs, and has a rural sensibility,” reads a quote from a “Q & A” section on his web site. ![]() His 1995 release “Forest” won a Grammy for best New Age recording, while his Doors tribute “Night Divides the Day” received a Grammy nomination in 2004 for best contemporary instrumental album. He released more than a dozen solo piano albums, along with soundtracks for the TV miniseries “This Is America, Charlie Brown” and “The Velveteen Rabbit,” which featured Meryl Streep’s narration of the children’s classic. ![]() Winston was a native of Hart, Michigan, who grew up in Montana, Florida and Mississippi and drew upon influences ranging from Fats Waller to the Doors. His most recent album, “Night,” came out last year. “Throughout his cancer treatments, George continued to write and record new music, and he stayed true to his greatest passion: performing for live audiences while raising funds for Feeding America to help fight the national hunger crisis along with donating proceeds from each of his concerts to local food banks,” a statement on his website reads.
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