Photo:Michael Schwartz/WireImage
Michael Schwartz/WireImage
George Winston, a pianist who’s sold millions of records and earned a Grammy Award, died on Sunday. He was 74.
The news was confirmed onWinston’s website, as reps for the musician write in his biography section, “We are deeply saddened to share the news that George Winston has passed on after a 10-year battle with cancer. George quietly and painlessly left this world while asleep on Sunday, June 4, 2023.”
According to his website, Winston “courageously managed serious cancers” and had a bone marrow transplant for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in 2013.
“Throughout his cancer treatments, George continued to write and record new music, and he stayed true to his greatest passion: performing for live audiences while raising funds for Feeding America to help fight the national hunger crisis along with donating proceeds from each of his concerts to local food banks,” continues the updated biography.
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George Winston.Jason Davis/Getty Images for NAMM
Jason Davis/Getty Images for NAMM
“In addition to working on stride piano, he also at this time came up with this own style of melodic instrumental music on solo piano, called folk piano. In 1972, he recorded his first solo piano album,Ballads and Blues1972, for the late guitarist John Fahey’s Takoma label,” reads his website.
Winston also worked on several soundtracks, including 1984’sThe Velveteen Rabbit, 1988’sThis Is America Charlie Brown, 1995’sSadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, 2002’sPumpkin Circleand 2003’sBread Comes to Life.
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His most recent album,Night, was released in May 2022 and featured “a vivid look into Winston’s nocturnal world where life begins as the sun sets on each day,” per his website.
Throughout his career, Winston sold over 15 million records and performed “nearly 100 concerts annually,” reads the biography.
source: people.com
