GEORGE WINSTON,
1949-2023

George Winston, the pianist who captivated millions during the 1980s peak of New Age music, died Sunday (6/4) after a 10-year battle with cancer. He was 73.

Winston's career spanned more than 50 years. He will be remembered particularly for 1980's million-selling Autumn (Windham Hill) and 1982's December, rendered in what he called "folk piano." His style came to define the New Age, but he perennially resisted the tag.

He recorded 16 solo piano albums—1996's Forest won a Grammy for Best New Age Album—including tributes to Vince Guaraldi and The Doors and benefit LPs supporting Hurricane Katrina relief, Louisiana wetlands and cancer research at City of Hope. He launched his own label, Dancing Cat Records, which focused on Hawaiian music, in 1983.

A native of Hart, Michigan, Winston grew up in Montana, Mississippi and Florida. He was originally an organist, switching to the acoustic piano to take up the stride style of Fats Waller and Teddy Wilson. He recorded his debut, 1972's Ballads and Blues, for Takoma Records. RCA released his final album, Night, in 2022.

Earlier this year, Winston took a break from touring to recover from health issues related to his 2012 bone marrow transplant. He planned to return to the road in 2024.