PIANO, BY GEORGE: Nimble-fingered George Winston has taken his solo piano music in many directions and Birmingham audiences have been with him every step of the way. Winston is best known for his seasonal releases '96 Summer, December, Winter Into Spring and Autumn. Along the way, he has also paid tribute to artists as diverse as Vince Guaraldi and The Doors. But Winston'92s latest effort '96 Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions: A Hurricane Relief Benefit '96 finds him combining tribute, relief and awareness in one 10-track collection. On Wednesday, Feb. 4, Winston returns to Birmingham for a performance at the historic Carver Theatre. Although fans may not associate his music with the Big Easy, Winston has found inspiration from New Orleans and its legendary pianists including Professor Longhair, Dr. John and Allen Toussaint. Touched by the tangible and cultural devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Winston released Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions on the storm'92s one-year anniversary. Proceeds from the album'92s sales have aided the hurricane relief effort and raised awareness of the Gulf Coast region and its rich musical heritage. Placing original material alongside covers, the album is a timeless yet relevant addition to Winston'92s catalog. Early birds can catch him on Good Day Alabama on Wednesday morning. For night owls, the show at the Carver starts at 9 p.m. and tickets cost $37.50. Buy in advance by visiting www.etix.com.
Gast
