GEORGE WINSTON IN CONCERT AT THE PALM, 12/26

21 Dec GEORGE WINSTON IN CONCERT AT THE PALM, 12/26

When Grammy Award-winning solo pianist George Winston first came to town in 1998, the idea was not simply to entertain in his grand style, but also to help Angel Baskets Food Bank. A lucky 13 years later, it’s more of the same: Winston’s upcoming concert at The Palm, Monday, December 26, 7 p.m., supports the same non-profit through a canned food drive. In addition, 100 percent of the proceeds from all merchandise sales also go to Angel Baskets.

The Palm concert itself features selections from Winston’s melodic piano recordings, as well as R & B piano, stride piano, and Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts pieces. He also plans to play slack guitar. George Winston is best known for his seasonally themed recordings. He is touring in support of the reissued “Autumn,” “December,” and “Summer” on his own Dancing Cat Records.

Winston was born in 1949 and grew up mainly in Montana, although he spent his later, formative years in Mississippi and Florida. Early on, his favorite music was instrumental rock ’n roll and R&B, artists such as Floyd Cramer, The Ventures, Booker T and The MG’s, the late jazz organist Jimmy Smith and especially The Doors. When Winston started playing, his choice of instrument was initially the organ. Today, he plays three styles of piano: New Orleans R & B, stride, and folk.

Over the past three decades, Winston has dropped numerous solo albums, but lives on – and for – the road, performing 110 dates a year and a total of over 5,000 shows. For him, the road is not an escape. Getting out and about keeps things growing.

Note: The Palm encourages audience members to bring a non-perishable donation to the concert.

For further information, click the “play” button and listen to my conversation with George Winston