***SOLD OUT***
GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-platinum solo pianist George Winston will make a rare appearance in Central Illinois at the Normal Theater on Thursday, October 11, 2018.
Best known for his melodic season’s collection, "December," "Winter into Spring," "Summer," and "Autumn," this performance will bring George Winston’s solo piano performance to the historic Normal Theater. During the evening Winston will perform a variety of selections from his expansive catalog including the Vincent Guaraldi numbers.
George Winston grew up mainly in Montana, and also spent his later formative years in Mississippi and Florida. 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 Teddy Wilson. In addition to working on stride piano, he also at this time came up with his own style of melodic instrumental music on solo piano, called folk piano. His main influences currently are the New Orleans R&B pianists Professor Longhair, James Booker,and Henry Butler.
Since 1972 George has released fourteen solo piano albums. His latest release in March 2017 is titled SPRING CAROUSEL-A CANCER RESEARCH BENEFIT. This concert will feature George’s Winter Show, which will include melodic fall and winter type songs, some of Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts pieces, pieces inspired by the New Orleans piano & the stride piano traditions, and songs from his upcoming albums.