Ticket 2 Ride

Songwriter/pianist George Winston passed away in 2023 after a battle with cancer at age 74.

While he wouldn’t like this statement, Winston was a pioneer of the New Age musical movement, although he crossed over into jazz, classical, blues, R&B and folk, so his legacy shouldn’t be dismissed because of the fu-fu connotation attached with New Age music.

Winston was perhaps the most successful of the Windham Hill record label artists. Windham Hill was an independent record label specializing in various forms of mainly instrumental music.

Winston was the first Windham Hill artist that I discovered and eagerly bought his vinyl. I found his piano pieces to be the perfect Sunday morning sound – introspective, slightly melancholy, ethereal, meditative and deeply moving. Primarily a pianist, he also played guitar and harmonica.

His first three albums are my favorites: AUTUMN, WINTER INTO SPRING, DECEMBER.

Winston was dedicated to fighting hunger. He donated funds from his concerts to local food programs, and held benefits to raise money Katrina relief and other causes close to his heart.

Autumn (1980)

Winter Into Spring (1982)

December (1982)

George Winston is missed. He was a genius at finding a lovely melody and telling an exquisite story with it.