SANTA CRUZ, CA (AP) — Solo pianist George Winston, best known for his seasonally themed recordings including December, Autumn, Winter Into Spring, and Summer, will be donating proceeds from his two sold out concerts in Baton Rouge, LA to two New Orleans organizations, ACORN and Common Ground. Proceeds from an upcoming show in Gulfport, MS will also benefit the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. This foundation supports a large number of organizations involved in relief and rebuilding while targeting the greatest needs.
Winston’s latest solo piano album is entitled Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions – A Hurricane Relief Benefit. Released last September, the album was inspired by Winston’s desire to support the Gulf Coast region after the recent storm devastation. 100% of Winston’s proceeds will go to organizations helping people in the Gulf Coast and in New Orleans to rebuild. RCA Records will also be donating the bulk of its net profits. Winston also works with venues to organize food drives at his concerts in support of area food banks. He encourages audience members to bring non-perishable items for donation.
Winston’s solo piano concerts feature selections from his melodic piano recordings, as well as R&B piano, stride piano, Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts© pieces, and more. George also play plays some Hawaiian Slack Key guitar.
In 1972 George recorded his first solo piano album, Ballads and Blues 1972. Since 1980 George has released ten more 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).
Additional information about George Winston can be found online at www.georgewinston.com. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
