A favorite "rural folk" pianist has passed

George Winston may not be someone who you are familiar with. He was born in Michigan and played harmonica, guitar and dabbled in the 1970's as a record producer. But he was best known as a solo pianist.

He would record nearly twenty albums and sell over 15 million copies of his solo piano recordings.

These albums, released mainly in the 1980's and 90's on a new label called Windham Hill, helped to invigorate a musical movement of mindfulness, meditation and self-reflection, best remembered as “new age.” But that phrase really doesn’t do George Winston’s compositions justice. His music was much more than that. He actually preferred to use the term, “rural folk piano.”

George Winston seemed to me to be a quiet, reflective composer and performer. He didn’t appear to care much for the trappings of a successful musician, searching for fame and fortune. He didn’t do the talk show circuit. I didn't see much about him on Twitter or Instagram. He just did his shows and composed his music.

But Winston was also battling cancer for the last ten years. Sapping his strength and robbing him of being as creative as he wanted to be.

I used to play much of the music he recorded on my radio show “Sunday Night Jazz” from 1992 to 2010. His songs were always popular and connected with the audience of listeners who would call in and make requests for more of his piano music.

George passed away on Sunday, June 4 at the age of 73. Even though it’s not fall, this song entitled “Thanksgiving” is one of my favorites.

And I’m thankful for George Winston.

Rob

https://youtu.be/-najtZwvX-E